PSV head coach Mark van Bommel praised his players’ tenacity and teamwork after they swept aside Ajax 3-0 on Sunday to maintain their 100% start to the season.

Goals from Gaston Pereiro, Luuk de Jong and Hirving Lozano ended the match as a contest within 35 minutes, but Van Bommel was also pleased with a strong defensive performance in the second half.

‘We try to build from the back, but if that doesn’t work we have some outstanding attacking options with Luuk de Jong and pace up front,’ Van Bommel told NOS after the match.

‘In the second half we did everything to make sure we didn’t concede a goal. That’s the sign of a real team.’

Van Bommel singled out De Jong for praise after the striker notched his fourth goal in six games. ‘Ajax put us under a lot of pressure, so it was good to have the option of playing long balls up to Luuk. If you’re under pressure you can always find him. He’s so important to us.’

Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar acknowledged that the Amsterdam side had been outfought and outplayed. ‘For all three goals we were beaten for willpower and we can’t accept that,’ he said.

‘You can’t put it down to particular players, the whole team underperformed. We looked good on the ball, but our opponents were far more effective.’

The win gives PSV a clear five-point lead at the top of the Eredivisie, with Ajax level on points with Feyenoord and SC Heracles. The Eindhoven side have scored 24 goals in their opening six matches and conceded three.