PSV and Ajax drew 2-2 in Eindhoven on Sunday, courtesy of a late Oscar Gloukh equaliser, allowing Feyenoord to take a big lead in the early stages of the new Eredivisie season.
In this crucial game, manager Robin van Persie handed youngster Aymen Sliti the start over Leo Sauer. Luciano Valente got his spot in the starting lineup back, putting Oussama Targhalline on the bench.
AZ, meanwhile, saw Ghanaian winger Ibrahim Sadiq return to the starting lineup with Weslley Patati not fit enough to start.
Feyenoord dominated the early stages of the game, but fell behind when Ro-Zangelo Daal fired a beautiful strike into the top corner, giving AZ the lead after 24 minutes.
The visitors were given a golden opportunity to level the game when Wouter Goes handled the ball in his own penalty area and handed Feyenoord a penalty, which Sem Steijn confidently converted.
The sides went into the break all square, but the scoreline changed shortly after the break, thanks to Denzo Kasius, who capped off an impressive solo run with a calm finish in the far corner.
It only took Feyenoord mere minutes to level the game again, this time through Australian full-back Jordan Bos, who blasted the ball in Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro's net from distance.
AZ shortly ran the show following Feyenoord's equaliser, but couldn't capitalise on their efforts to secure a third goal of the day, as Feyenoord defended tightly.
Late twists
A beautiful team move involving Timber, Valente, and Steijn, the last two of which extended passes with backheel efforts, saw Hadj Moussa redeem himself for a red card against Heerenveen and roll the 3-2 in Owusu-Oduro's goal in the 78th minute.
Feyenoord were reduced to ten men after Anel Ahmedhodzic received his second yellow card shortly before injury time, leaving Feyenoord to fight for three points in the closing stages.
The ten men from Rotterdam saw a win slip out of their hands when Jaden Slory gave away a penalty in the final seconds of the five minutes of added time after a reckless foul on Patati. Mexx Meerdink was trusted with the deciding penalty and smashed it past Wellenreuther, earning AZ a point in the eighth minute of injury time.
Feyenoord were left to rue a missed opportunity to take a five-point lead at the top of the Eredivisie, instead leading PSV by three points. AZ stay unbeaten as they continue their season against PEC Zwolle in Alkmaar next week.
Check out all the match and player statistics on Flashscore.
