Huntelaar took his tally for the season to 26 in the league with two first-half goals, and Urby Emanuelson and Leonardo netted after the break to wrap up the win while PSV were losing 3-1 at Utrecht.

Excelsior, now bottom of the table, beat Ajax at the Stadion Woudestein for one of their six Eredivisie wins this season but Adrie Koster's side gave no hint a similar result was possible on Sunday.

Ajax's first chance came after 10 minutes when Edgar Davids' shot was saved by Excelsior keeper Ronald Graafland.

But it was Huntelaar who opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a beautifully-judged volley into the top-right corner of the goal.

And the 24-year-old doubled his tally after 40 minutes when he was left unmarked to head in a cross from George Ogararu.

Excelsior were struggling to get out of their own half and they fell further behind 10 minutes after the interval.

John de Jong's header was saved by Graafland but the ball fell to Emanuelson who fired home.

Ajax's fourth should have arrived in the 78th minute from Leonardo's corner but Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen headed just wide.

Demoralised Excelsior did concede seven minutes later. The excellent Emanuelson sent in a low cross which was met by Leonardo who drove a left-footed shot into the top-right corner.