Three goals before half time set Ajax on their way to a comfortable victory over AZ Alkmaar on the opening weekend of the Eredivisie season.

Anwar El Ghazi put Frank de Boer's men ahead on 14 minutes after latching onto Mitchell Dijks pass.

The winger doubled Ajax's advantage seven minutes before the break as he rose highest to meet Nemanja Gudelj's free kick, the El Ghazi's header going through the defences of keeper Sergio Rochet.

Rochet was arguably culpable for the visitors' third goal as Gudelj unleashed a strike from distance that the AZ shot-stopper got a strong hand on, but could only palm his effort into the net.

With the away side in a strong position, De Boer was able to give Yaya Sanogo his Eredivisie debut since joining on loan from Arsenal, but the French forward was unable to get on the scoresheet.

Vincent Janssen almost pulled a goal back for AZ with 11 minutes remaining only to drag his shot wide of the target as Alkmaar slumped to defeat.