FC Utrecht have made light work of a self-destructive AZ side in the Eredivisie this afternoon, cruising to an emphatic 6-2 win at the Stadion Galgenwaard.

The hosts took the lead within the first minute as a cross from the right wing fell perfectly to Willem Janssen, who leapt into the air and powered a header into the net.

Eight minutes later they were two goals to the good, as a stray clearance bounced just outside the box, where it was met by the onrushing Mark Diemers, who let rip with a vicious shot that left the opposition keeper stranded.

By the quarter-hour mark it was turning into a rout, as Utrecht were gifted a penalty after a handball in the box. Sebastien Haller stepped up and duly stroked the ball into the net for an emphatic three-goal lead.

AZ gave themselves a glimmer of hope when they sliced the hosts' defence open from the right, with Aron Johansson applying the finishing touch.

It counted for little, however, because Utrecht were awarded another penalty for handball midway through the second half, which Haller converted for his side's fourth goal.

The latter stages of the match saw a further three goals notched up between both teams, as Kristoffer Peterson and Edouard Duplan put the hosts further in the lead.

Meanwhile, a Mattias Johansson drive that bounced off Gevero Markiet and into the Utrecht net served only to make the scoreline less humiliating for the visitors.

Utrecht climb to 11th in the Eredivisie table following their surprise win, while shellshocked AZ remain fourth.