Swirling AZ is already ready with Emmen before the break and is currently third in the premier league

AZ delivered a gala performance at home against FC Emmen before the break with five goals. After the break, the Alkmaarders slowed down and Dani de Wit and Jesper Karlsson returned from injury. It eventually became 5-1 in Alkmaar.

It was one-way traffic from the start. AZ launched one attack after another and the opening goal came in the thirteenth minute. Jordy Clasie found Sven Mijnans and the ex-Spartan shot through goalkeeper Mickey van der Hart.

The build up to the second goal was beautiful. Via Clasie, Jens Odgaard and Vangelis Pavlidis, the ball reached Myron van Brederode and the left winger neatly placed the ball in the corner. AZ coach Pascal Jansen jumped with joy at the sight of this team goal.

A free kick by Tijjani Reijnders meant the 3-0, although Sam Beukema claimed that he had touched the ball in the ball. Five minutes later, Beukema got his goal after all. The defender signed for his first goal of the season on a pass from Van Brederode.

The four goals in 28 minutes meant the second fastest 4-0 lead in club history, after the quick 4-0 on October 3, 2008 against Sparta Rotterdam in the 2008/2009 championship season. Even then the 4-0 fell in the 28th minute. Brand new national champion Arne Slot was captain of Sparta that day, which was eventually defeated 6-0.

On the stroke of half-time, Clasie also made it 5-0 with a low shot into the corner. With that, AZ equaled its record margin at halftime in the Eredivisie, after a 5-0 halftime score at home against Excelsior on February 3 earlier this season. That game also remained at 5-0.

Also now production stopped after rest. AZ slowed down four days before the return against West Ham United and Emmen came in better with three substitutes. Richairo Zivkovic scored the goal of honor after a pass from substitute Lucas Bernadou and Emmen was close to a second goal via Mark Diemers and Ole Romeny.

The raids by De Wit and Karlsson were the Alkmaar highlights of the second half. De Wit was absent for four months due to a foot injury and Karlsson did not participate last month due to an injury to his upper leg. Karlsson hit the post in the final phase.