PSV’s lead at the top of the Eredivisie was cut to 10 points as they dropped points for only the second time this season in the Johan Cruyff Arena.

English veteran Jordan Henderson made his debut for Ajax, who went ahead in the 19th minute when Steven Berghuis put Brian Brobbey clear on a breakaway run, then arrived in the penalty area just in time to smash home a return pass.

Luuk de Jong equalised after 33 minutes, clipping in Ismael Saibiri’s low cross for his 18th goal of the season, and came closest to breaking the deadlock in the second half when his header from a corner hit the angle of post and crossbar.

“There were plenty of chances at both ends, but in the end we have to be satisfied with the 1-1,” said De Jong. “It’s a very different Ajax from earlier in the season. They played well and we put up a good resistance.”

Second-placed Feyenoord came away from Alkmaar with all three points thanks to an early goal from Mats Wieffer, who was first to react when Quinten Timber’s sixth-minute free kick came back off the post.

Bijlow setback

But the Rotterdammers suffered a setback when goalkeeper Justin Bijlow had to leave the field after 31 minutes with a suspected calf injury. Bijlow, who spent two months on the sidelines earlier in the season with a broken wrist, was in tears as he made way for Timon Wellenreuther.

The results enabled Ajax to draw level on points with fourth-placed AZ, five points behind Twente Enschede who brushed aside RKC 3-0.

New signing Myron Boadu made an instant impact for Twente as he came off the bench to score the second goal after 79 minutes, after Ricky van Wolfswinkel had tapped in Michel Vlap’s knock-down in the first half.

Bottom side Vitesse lost at home to Go Ahead Eagles, who had Willum Thór Willumson sent off in the fourth minute of injury time but still managed to score a second goal through Jakob Breum.

Vitesse stay level on points with Volendam, who took an early lead in Utrecht through Zach Booth but then watched his brother Taylor score a hat-trick to complete a 4-2 comeback win and extend Utrecht’s unbeaten run to 13 matches.

Weekend of comebacks

On a weekend of comebacks, NEC overcame Heracles with two second-half goals by Koki Ogawa and a free-kick by debutant Tjaronn Chery, after Jizz Hornkamp had put the Almelo side ahead with a header in the third minute.

Almere City turned around a deficit against Excelsior as Jochem Ritmeester van de Kamp’s shot was deflected into the net by Casper Widell in the 69th minute. Stije Resink equalised with a header just before half-time after Troy Parrott had given Excelsior a 25th-minute lead.

Fortuna Sittard twice came from behind to draw at home to Heerenveen as Alen Halilovic scored a penalty early in the second half and crashed in an equaliser from a corner, while Luuk Brouwers scored twice and hit the bar late on for the Frisians.

Results

Friday

Almere City 2-1 Excelsior

Saturday

Ajax 1-1 PSV Eindhoven

Fortuna Sittard 3-3 Heerenveen

NEC Nijmegen 3-1 Heracles Almelo

Twente Enschede 3-0 RKC Waalwijk

Sunday

AZ Alkmaar 0-1 Feyenoord

Sparta L-L PEC Zwolle

Utrecht 4-2 Volendam

Vitesse Arnhem 0-2 Go Ahead Eagles