Ajax came through a stern test to claim three points against a spirited ADO Den Haag side. Demy De Zeeuw opened the scoring after 26 minutes, but the Amsterdam giants had to wait until 19 minutes from the end to add their second through Marko Pantelic. Siem De Jong then added a third in stoppage time.

Ajax struggled to get control of the game in the early stages and almost went behind when Bogdan Milic converted Karim Soltani's cross after 17 minutes, but was adjudged to be offside.

Ajax took advantage of their reprieve, taking the lead when De Zeeuw latched on to a loose ball to fire home after Timothy Derijck blocked Luis Suarez's cross.

On the half hour, Lorenzo Pique missed a double chance to pull his side level, first having his effort fisted away by Maarten Stekelenburg and then having his follow-up effort deflected wide.

At the other end, Suarez collected a deep De Zeeuw corner and fired over, before Dario Cvitanich sent an effort over the bar.

After the break, Soltani shot inches wide and crossed for Charlton Vicento to head over as ADO continued to create chances. In between, Cvitanich headed over and Suarez sent a powerful shot thundering against the bar. But Ajax finally grabbed a second which killed off ADO's challenge.

Suarez advanced into the area and evaded goalkeeper Barry Ditewig, before finding Pantelic who had an open goal to knock the ball into.

Ditewig then saved from Suarez, who also failed to convert a Rommedahl cross soon after with the ball again finding the woodwork. But a third always looked likely and it came from a short corner in which Rommedahl crossed and De Jong, positioned near the penalty spot, fired home.