The defending champions had Derk Boerrigter and Lasse Schone to thank as they made it four wins on the bounce and moved within a point of top spot ahead of Sunday's fixtures.

Frank de Boer's team, who were swept aside by Real Madrid in the Champions League midweek, hit the front three minutes before the half-time interval through Boerrigter for his second goal of the campaign.

And Danish midfielder Schone added a second for the hosts' after converting a 53rd-minute penalty.

Meanwhile, RKC Waalwijk accounted for NEC 2-0 at Mandemakers Stadion.

Six points separated the two sides before Saturday's clash but that was reduced to just three following goals from Cuco Martina and Florian Jozefzoon.

In other results on Saturday, PEC Zwolle held ADO Den Haag to a 1-1 draw, while AZ Alkmaar's winless run extended to six games after their goalless draw at home to Willem II.