Match ends, FC Groningen 0, Ajax 1.
FC GroningenFC Groningen0AjaxAjax1
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored a late winner and was sent off as Eredivisie leaders Ajax edged to victory at Groningen.
The former Netherlands international broke the deadlock with a clinical finish 12 minutes from time.
But the striker, 35, was dismissed just six minutes later for a second bookable offence.
The win lifts Erik ten Hag's team three points clear of second-placed PSV Eindhoven, who play on Sunday.
Ajax have now scored 156 goals in all competitions this season, an all-time club record in a single campaign.
Huntelaar's goal was his 104th for Ajax in the Eredivisie - one more than Dennis Bergkamp managed for the club between 1986 and 1993.
The four-time European champions face Tottenham in the Champions League semi-finals next month.
Line-ups
FC Groningen
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Padt
- 42Zeefuik
- 4te Wierik
- 24ChabotBooked at 76mins
- 29HandwerkerSubstituted forBrunsat 81'minutes
- 7Doan
- 6ReisBooked at 75mins
- 5MemisevicBooked at 73mins
- 8Bel HassaniSubstituted forEl Hankouriat 68'minutes
- 19GladonBooked at 28mins
- 9Sierhuis
Substitutes
- 11Pohl
- 12Kramer
- 14El Hankouri
- 15Bruns
- 16Begois
- 17Itakura
- 20Absalem
- 23Hrustic
- 31Hoekstra
- 36van de Looi
- 58van Kaam
Ajax
Formation 4-3-3
- 24Onana
- 3VeltmanBooked at 73mins
- 4de Ligt
- 17Blind
- 31Tagliafico
- 20SchöneSubstituted forHuntelaarat 59'minutesBooked at 84mins
- 6van de Beek
- 21de Jong
- 22ZiyechSubstituted forKristensenat 90'minutes
- 10Tadic
- 7NeresSubstituted forDolbergat 77'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Kristensen
- 8Sinkgraven
- 9Huntelaar
- 16Magallán
- 19Labyad
- 25Dolberg
- 26Lamprou
- 28Semedo Varela
- 30de Wit
- 40Ekkelenkamp
- Referee:
- Dennis Higler
- Attendance:
- 22,288
Match Stats
Home TeamFC GroningenAway TeamAjax
- Possession
- Home39%
- Away61%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away16
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away5
- Corners
- Home4
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, FC Groningen 0, Ajax 1.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Paul Gladon (FC Groningen) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, Ajax. Rasmus Kristensen replaces Hakim Ziyech.
Post update
Attempt missed. Kaj Sierhuis (FC Groningen) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is too high. Assisted by Jeffrey Chabot.
Post update
Attempt saved. Paul Gladon (FC Groningen) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Deyovaisio Zeefuik with a cross.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Samir Memisevic (FC Groningen) because of an injury.
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax) for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax).
Post update
Samir Memisevic (FC Groningen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Kaj Sierhuis (FC Groningen) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Ritsu Doan.
Substitution
Substitution, FC Groningen. Thomas Bruns replaces Tim Handwerker.
Booking
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
Goal!
Goal! FC Groningen 0, Ajax 1. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner.
Post update
Attempt missed. Hakim Ziyech (Ajax) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner from a direct free kick.
Substitution
Substitution, Ajax. Kasper Dolberg replaces David Neres.
Booking
Jeffrey Chabot (FC Groningen) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Dusan Tadic (Ajax) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jeffrey Chabot (FC Groningen).
