Ajax sink Venlo to seal 31st Eredivisie title

Following seven years in the wilderness, AFC Ajax are on their way to re-establishing themselves as Dutch football's most eminent club after recording back-to-back Eredivisie titles for the first time since 1996.

The Amsterdam giants came into the match with a six-point lead over their closest pursuers, Feyenoord, and needing a point against VVV-Venlo to clinch the championship. Siem de Jong capitalised on a goalmouth scramble to open the scoring from close range before settling the match – and the title race – on 58 minutes as delirium ensued inside the Amsterdam ArenA.

"I am extremely happy with winning the championship," said Theo Janssen, who joined from FC Twente last summer. "We had a volatile and very strange start to the season, but the second half was good and has delivered the title to us."

Captain Jan Vertonghen echoed his team-mate's sentiments. "The title is deserved," he said. "We have proven we can score goals and also defend a lead."

For coach Frank de Boer it is his second league triumph since replacing Martin Jol in December 2010. "I'm extremely satisfied with how we played. Everyone was dealing with it in the right way. It really was a goose-bumps moment.

"For me, the previous title was unforgettable because people were longing for it so much. But for the staff, this championship might be even more beautiful."