Ajax faced off against Twente in what had been a terrible week for the Amsterdam side, coming off a record 5-0 loss at Stamford Bridge - one that put manager Johnny Heitinga's position in even more jeopardy, with Ajax now dead last in the UEFA Champions League standings.
Having won just one of their past seven games across all competitions and failing to win four of their last five in the Eredivisie, the Amsterdam outfit's woes continued very soon after kick-off when former midfielder Kristian Hlynsson headed home from a corner, beating Remko Pasveer from close range to put Twente up one after three minutes.
A totally powerless Ajax could only watch as Twente peppered Pasveer's goal in the first half. Hlynsson, Thomas van den Belt, Ramiz Zerrouki and Sondre Orjasaeter all come agonisingly close for the imperious home side, but all could not double Twente's first-half lead over the record champions.
A double substitution from John Heitinga saw the former Liverpool assistant take off Liverpool loanee James McConnell and €10-million-rated Ko Itakura for Youri Regeer and Owen Wijndal in the break in an attempt to break Twente's siege of the Amsterdam outfit.
Miraculous turnaround
The changes helped Ajax turn the tide following the break when Wout Weghorst broke the deadlock four minutes into the second half, expertly heading the ball past Lars Unnerstall on an assist from Kenneth Taylor.
The Grolsch Veste was silenced soon after when Oscar Gloukh beautifully put Ajax in front with a half volley that sailed into the top corner. The shock in Enschede was complete when Raul Moro led a lightning-quick counter onto Twente's half and found a wide-open Mika Godts, who calmly slotted home the 3-1 in the 56th minute.
All wasn't said and done just yet when Lucas Rosa handled the ball in his own box, earning FC Twente a penalty halfway through the second half. Former Norwich City striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel stepped up and easily converted, bringing Twente back in it with 25 minutes to go.
Momentum shifted once again in Enschede as Thomas van den Belt fired a dangerous shot in Pasveer's direction that whistled wide of the post. The hosts couldn't pile up more effective pressure for another twenty minutes as Ajax looked to get away with a first away win of the Eredivisie season.
FC Twente couldn't muster one last big offensive, giving Ajax their first away win of the season and manager John van den Brom his first loss as Twente manager.
The home side open their KNVB Beker campaign next week away at amateurs Rohda Raalte. Ajax, meanwhile, will start preparations for the Eredivisie home game against Heerenveen and begin carefully assessing the Champions League clash against Galatasaray on Wednesday, November 5th.