Netherlands round-up: Title goes down to the wire

Comfortable wins for both AFC Ajax and PSV Eindhoven on Sunday ensured the battle for the Eredivisie title will go down to the final round of fixtures.

Three-point lead
Ajax held on to their three-point lead courtesy of a 2-0 win over FC Den Bosch, secured with a goal in each half from Greek striker Nicolaos Mahlas.

PSV still chasing
Meanwhile, PSV cruised to a 3-0 victory over Sparta Rotterdam. Goals from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Mark van Bommel and Adil Ramzi ensured the Eindhoven side still have a chance of the title. Ajax will win the championship if they win or draw at NEC Nijmegen next week, while PSV, who have a superior goal difference, can pinch it with a victory at De Graafschap if Ajax lose.

Bosvelt hat-trick
Further down the table, Feyenoord midfielder Paul Bosvelt effectively guaranteed his team's place in next season's UEFA Champions League qualiying round with a hat-trick in their 3-0 win over SC Heerenveen.

Four-star Vitesse
SBV Vitesse, already assured of a UEFA Cup place, were in free-scoring mood when they hosted Willem II. Didier Martel, Mahamadou Diarra, Dejan Stefanovic and Matthew Amoah were on target for Vitesse, while the visitors managed goals from Youssef Mariana and Tarik Sektioui.

Twente win
In the day's other games, FC Twente beat high-flying FC Utrecht 2-0 with goals from Bjorn van der Doelen and Jack de Gier, NAC Breda climbed up to sixth with a 3-1 win over SC Fortuna Sittard and Igor Tomasic's last-gasp goal gave Roda JC a 1-0 victory against RKC Waalwijk.

Bosman bows out
Elsewhere, former Dutch international John Bosman scored twice in his final game before retiring and Robin Nelisse hit a hat-trick as AZ Alkmaar crushed NEC Nijmegen 5-0. FC Groningen need only a point next week to ensure their top-flight future after a 2-0 win over lacklustre De Graafschap helped them climb out of the relegation play-off zone.