The Hague, Netherlands – A hat trick from Charlison Benschop 0 triumph at Den Haag on Wednesday, allowing the club to join PSV Eindhoven at the top of the Eredivisie table.
AZ slipped behind PSV after a run of just one point from its last three games, but responded in a big way as Benschop netted his first goal after 33 minutes and added to his tally in the 47th and 69th.
Den Haag had no way back and suffered only further punishment in the final 20 minutes as Maarten Martens made it 4-0 before American Jozy Altidore bagged a pair of goals in the final five minutes to cap the scoring.
AZ joins PSV on 42 points and trails only on goal difference, with Den Haag remaining eight points clear of the drop zone.
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