After failing to win their last three games, Ajax returned to winning ways against FC Groningen in the Euroborg on Sunday afternoon.

Marcos Leonardo won a penalty early on for the Amsterdammers, but Davy Klaassen failed to convert it. Julian Brandt eventually put Ajax ahead with a very well-taken goal, before Aaron Bouwman doubled their lead around 10 minutes later.

Brynjólfur Willumsson made it 1-2 early on in the second half to give the home side hope, but Ajax were dominant from that point on.

Brandt made it 1-3 roughly 10 minutes after Groningen's goal, and Jorthy Mokio scored twice afterwards.

Thom van Bergen scored a second goal for Groningen and also missed a penalty towards the end of the game, which was well saved by Marc ter Stegen.

Michel Sanchez has received a lot of criticism in Ajax's last two games, but he deserves more time, and Ajax's performance in Groningen proves that. Ajax played very well, particularly in the second half. 

The performances against NEC Nijmegen and Hajduk Split were not good enough, but it is completely normal to have performances like those at the start of the season when a new head coach is trying to implement his ideas with a new group of players.

Before those games, Ajax were starting to build some real momentum and were playing good football. They returned to form in Groningen and now need to build on this.

Ajax looked significantly better out of possession against Groningen on Sunday afternoon. In the mid block, they made it hard for Groningen to find a way forward, and the high press was better. Both Owen Wijndal and Lucas Rosa backed up the press quite well, and Wijndal doing so even led to Brandt's first goal.

Groningen scored twice, but both goals were very preventable. Ajax conceded an xG (expected goals) of 2.22, which is probably higher than what Michel would want, but most of that comes from only two chances, which were the goals, as well as the penalty, which was saved by Ter Stegen. Apart from that, Groningen struggled to create anything of real significance.

Apart from his mistake in the build-up which led to Groningen's goal, Leonardo played a solid game, but he will feel very frustrated. He had a couple of chances, but could not find the back of the net.

His biggest chance came early on, and while he should have scored, it must be said that it was an impressive bit of goalkeeping from Etienne Vaessen. He won a penalty not long after, but did not take it, and Klaassen missed.

His ability to make runs in behind means he gives Ajax something they lack. He worked very hard today, and while he is struggling for goals. it feels like it's only a matter of time until he finally finds form.

Mokio has started quite a few games for Ajax as the defensive midfielder this season, but he needs to play as the No. 8. He is great at getting up and down the pitch and adds dynamism to Ajax's midfield.

He gives Ajax energy and mobility that Klaassen does not in the no. 8 position, and while Klaassen, who played on the right wing today, does add goals to Ajax's midfield, Mokio's double against Groningen shows that he can also offer Ajax a lot in the final third.

Brandt has been exceptional for Ajax this season, and the German was once again outstanding on Sunday. Brandt scored twice against Groningen and once again showed the quality he has. 

Brandt has now scored six goals in nine Eredivisie games and has also created 28 chances, which is the joint-most by a player in the Eredivisie this season.