Eredivisie: Suarez on target as Ajax hit five

Luis Suarez scored twice in a dominant Ajax display as Eredivisie basement club RKC Waalwijk were brushed aside in a 5-1 victory at a sold-out Mandemakers Stadion.

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Luis Suarez has been in prolific form this season

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Siem de Jong put the visitors in front and, after striker Marko Pantelic's own goal put RKC back on terms, Suarez restored Ajax's advantage.

Hans Mulder's unfortunate own goal put the result almost beyond doubt and, after Ruud Berger was sent off for RKC, Suarez and Dennis Rommedahl wrapped up Ajax's eighth successive league win - a run in which they have scored 29 goals and conceded only two - to move them within four points of leaders FC Twente.

David Mendes da Silva came back to haunt Sparta Rotterdam, scoring the only goal of the game to keep AZ Alkmaar's push for fourth place very much alive.

The former Sparta player's early goal saw AZ get off to the perfect start and the hosts could not find the equaliser. AZ are now three points behind Feyenoord, who have a game in hand in the race for the last automatic qualifying place for Europe, while Sparta slip to just a point off the relegation play-offs following their third successive defeat.

Oluwafemi Ajilore's first-minute goal proved enough for FC Groningen to see off Roda JC as Ron Jans' side remained in contention for a Europa League play-off place.

Roda were just getting settled at the Euroborg when the Nigeria midfielder notched and the visitors were unable to respond, meaning they stayed 10th in the table on 32 points.

Ricky van der Bergh hit the post and Bogdan Milic fluffed a last-minute chance as ADO Den Haag missed the opportunity to move out of the relegation zone following a goalless draw with VVV Venlo.