Red-hot Hakim Ziyech strikes as Ajax run riot over Excelsior

Hakim Ziyech contributed a goal and an assist as Ajax thrashed Excelsior 7-1 on Sunday.

The 25-year-old maintained his fine form for the Johan Cruyff Arena outfit with his fifth goal in his last six league outings.

Donny van de Beek's brace, Jerdy Schouten's own goal and efforts from Lasse Schone, Kasper Dolberg had given the visitors a comfortable 5-1 lead before Ziyech's addition.

In the 79th minute, the Atlas Lions' playmaker benefitted from Nicolas Tagliafico's assist to register his seventh league goal of the season before setting David Neres up for Ajax's last goal in the encounter.

Ziyech, Noussair Mazraoui and Andre Onana who made Goal Africa Team of the Month for October were on parade for Erik ten Hag's men as they help extend the unbeaten run to 11 games across all competitions.

Ajax, placed second in the Dutch top-flight standings, continue to pile pressure on leaders PSV.