PSV dropped points for the first time this season as their 17-match winning run came to an end in Utrecht.

The league leaders went ahead after seven minutes when Johan Bakayoko nodded in a short cross by Sergino Dest.

But after 53 minutes former PSV striker Sam Lammers pounced on a loose ball on the right and squared for Othman Boussaid to equalise from close range.

The result means the current PSV side share the record for the best start to an Eredivisie season with their counterparts from the 1987/88 term. That PSV team, managed by Guus Hiddink, went on to lift the European Cup.

“If you look back over the whole series it’s still very special, but it’s a shame it’s come to an end,” head coach Peter Bosz said. “We clearly weren’t good enough and Utrecht played extremely well.”

Utrecht unbeaten run

The result means Utrecht extended their unbeaten run in the league to 11 matches, including seven draws, leaving them in 14th place.

Feyenoord survived a late recovery by bottom club Vitesse to close the gap at the top to 10 points.

The Rotterdammers went ahead in Arnhem when Lutsharel Geertruida’s long-range shot was deflected past Vitesse goalkeeper Eloy Room, but Amine Boutrah levelled the scores 15 minutes from time with a shot that beat Justin Bijlow at the near post.

Feyenoord bagged the win eight minutes later when Calvin Stengs’s cross deceived the defence and landed at the feet of Czech striker Ondřej Lingr in front of goal.

AZ salvage point

AZ looked to be heading for defeat at home to PEC Zwolle in the first match since the dismissal of coach Pascal Jansen, until Sven Mijnans popped up with an equaliser in the fifth minute of injury time.

Third-placed Twente came away from Nijmegen empty-handed as Calvin Verdonk’s swerving free-kick found the top corner of the net early in the second half, shortly before Twente’s Max Bruns was sent off for a scything challenge on Sontje Hansen.

New Ajax signing Jordan Henderson watched his team-mates close the gap on fourth-placed AZ to three points with a home win against RKC.

Brian Brobbey scored twice for Ajax but missed the chance for a hat-trick when his 70th minute penalty was saved by Etienne Vaessen.

Go Ahead climb

Go Ahead Eagles prevailed in the battle for sixth spot as they ended a five-match winless run at Sparta, thanks to an early goal by Willum Thór Willumson and a penalty by Victor Edvardsen.

Volendam moved off the bottom with a point at fellow strugglers Heracles, who equalised in the second half through Jizz Hoornkamp after Lequincio Zeefuik had given Volendam an early lead.

Excelsior beat Heerenveen 3-0 for their first league win since October to lead a pack of seven clubs, including the Friesland side, separated by a single point in mid-table.

Almere City’s match against Fortuna Sittard was postponed shortly before kick-off because of black ice on the pitch.

Results

Friday

Excelsior 3-0 Heerenveen

Saturday

Almere P-P Fortuna Sittard

AZ Alkmaar 2-2 PEC Zwolle

Heracles 1-1 Volendam

NEC Nijmegen 1-0 Twente Enschede

Sunday

Ajax 4-1 RKC Waalwijk

Sparta Rotterdam 0-2 Go Ahead Eagles

Utrecht 1-1 PSV Eindhoven

Vitesse Arnhem 1-2 Feyenoord