De Graafschap were humiliated 6-0 by Ajax as the Eredivisie high-flyers kept up the pressure on league leaders AZ Alkmaar.

Dario Cvitanich and Miralem Sulejmani ensured Ajax were firmly in control with less than 12 minutes gone and when Joost Volmer was sent off in the 35th minute, the hosts knew it was backs to the wall time if they were to avoid a repeat of last year's 8-1 thrashing.

Luis Suarez added a brace after the break and Urby Emanuelson also got his name on the scoresheet before Cvitanich grabbed his second in the 71st minute.

It was all Ajax from start to finish and the visitors took the lead in the 10th minute when Cvitanich leapt highest in the area to meet Sulejmani's corner and head it into the back of the net.

Sulejmani doubled Ajax's lead two minutes later, firing Eyong Enoh's cross into the right corner.

De Graafschap had barely a shot on goal and any slim hopes they had of pulling off a miracle evaporated 10 minutes from half time when Volmer was given his marching orders for elbowing Cvitanich.

The hosts would have been glad of the half-time whistle but worse was to come after the break.

Purrel Frankel brought down Suarez in the penalty area seven minutes after the restart and the Uruguay striker stepped up to the spot and extended his side's lead.

Suarez doubled his tally 10 minutes later as he drilled home Bruno Silva's cross.

There were more smiles for Ajax in the 67th minute as the De Graafschap defence tried to work the ball away from danger but it ended up at the feet of Urby Emanuelson who took barely a glance up before thumping it home from 25 yards.

The easiest goal of the game came four minutes later when Cvitanich headed home Sulejmani's free-kick from close range.

Thankfully for the hosts that was to be the last of the onslaught, but the result leaves De Graafschap second from bottom and with only one win in their last 13 games.

Ajax remain three points off AZ.