PSV snatch Dutch title

In a thrilling finale, PSV finished on 75 points with a goal difference of plus 50. Ajax Amsterdam, 2-0 winners at Willem II Tilburg, also ended on 75 points but with a goal difference of plus 49 and just missed out on their 30th title.

AZ Alkmaar, who led the table with one match remaining and just needed a win, finished with 10 men in a 3-2 defeat at Excelsior Rotterdam.

PSV took an early 2-0 lead with Alex and Jefferson Farfan on target in the opening 10 minutes but Theo Janssen curled a free kick around the wall after 12 minutes to pull one back for Vitesse.

Ibrahim Afellay restored PSV's two-goal cushion just before the hour mark and minutes later Farfan scored his second to make it 4-1. Skipper Phillip Cocu struck what proved to be the goal that clinched the title with 13 minutes remaining.

Alkmaar, who led the standings with a seven goal advantage on goal difference, suffered a setback after 19 minutes against Excelsior when Boy Waterman was sent off after conceding a penalty that was converted by Luigi Bruins.

Three minutes later midfielder Simon Cziommer gave Alkmaar some hope with an equaliser but Henrico Drost restored the lead for the home side after 59 minutes.

With 19 minutes left Danny Koevermans levelled the match but in injury time Johan Voskamp sealed victory for Excelsior who also finished with 10 men after Rene van Dieren was sent off.

Urby Emanuelson and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar struck either side of the break to hand Ajax a 2-0 win at Willem II Tilburg. However, they could not add to their score and missed out on the title by a whisker.

Afonso Alves scored four goals for Heerenveen in a 5-1 rampage over Feyenoord to seal a UEFA Cup place and join the play offs for a place in the Champions League qualifying round.

Feyenoord finished seventh in the League, their worst position for 18 years.