A first-half treble piled more pressure on Robin Van Persie's Feyenoord side, as PSV's victory in Eindhoven was the headline clash of matchday 21.
The Dutch champions opened up a 17-point lead at the top of the Eredivisie ahead of their opponents, who are now clinging onto second spot after winning just one of their last six league games. An emphatic first 20 minutes saw PSV race into a 3-0 lead, a score line that would comfortably remain the same for the duration.
Despite their domestic domination, there was a subtle hint of pressure on the hosts in front of their home fans. A rocky couple of weeks had preceded this game, during which defeats to both Newcastle and Bayern Munich saw them eliminated from the Champions League, while also dropping league points at home to relegation-threatened NAC Breda.
First half blitz
Peter Bosz's side flew out of the blocks, showing the attacking flair that has helped them score 64 goals in 21 league matches so far this season. Joey Veerman's 10th-minute pinpoint free kick was met by Armando Obispo's powerful header at the near post.
Minutes later, it was two. Mauro Junior's excellent run on the left side ended with a deft cross to Guus Til, the striker tapped home his twelfth of the season into an empty net. A stunned Feyenoord side continued to fall apart, as a third came before the 17th minute. The visitors gave the ball away deep inside their own half, Paul Wanner's interception allowing him to burst into the box, his cut-back converted by Ismael Saibari.
Obispo breekt binnen 🔟 minuten de ban voor PSV! #psvfey pic.twitter.com/6zBzCpK1Ou
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) February 1, 2026
Angry Feyenoord fans revealed a banner at full-time describing the players as 'mice' and questioning their fighting spirit. Already under pressure, Robin Van Persie now sees his position hanging in the balance.
After looking like they would fight PSV in a two-horse title fight just a few months ago, the Rotterdam-based side are now at risk of slipping out of the Champions League spots altogether. They have also suffered a Europa League group stage elimination after losing six of their eight games, as well as an early exit from the Dutch national cup at the second round stage.
Matchday 21 is over ⚖️ Where does your club stand in the table? 📊 pic.twitter.com/uf9r0UEH2l
— Eredivisie (English) (@EredivisieEN) February 1, 2026
Ajax pegged back
An inconsistent Ajax side have caught up to their rivals, although missed the chance to move above them on Sunday after letting a two-goal lead slip away to newly-promoted Excelsior.
The 36-time champions, who signed Oleksandr Zinchenko from Arsenal last week, have shown small signs of stability following Johnny Heitinga's underwhelming spell as manager earlier this season. Fred Grim, who is expected to be interim until the end of the season, is now unbeaten in eight league games.
Signs there is still much work ahead continue to filter through, such as Sunday's game, as well as the 6-0 cup thrashing to AZ Alkmaar nestled in between their league form.
ZO ZEG! Arthur Zagré knalt Excelsior naast Ajax 💥#excaja pic.twitter.com/AZQl7qSCvR
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) February 1, 2026
Promising youngster Mika Godts seemingly put the Amsterdam side into a comfortable position with a first-half brace. However, two goals for the hosts in the last 20 minutes stunned Ajax, preventing them from moving into second spot.
Flying NEC
The chances of having a debutant in next season's Champions League appear strong, with NEC enjoying a superb season in the Eredivisie.
The team from Nijmegen, who played Tottenham in their last European UEFA Cup campaign back in 2008, currently sit one point behind Feyenoord, and still have a game in hand. They are also the in-form side, having lost just once in the league since September.
You'd also struggle to find a more entertaining team across the whole of Europe. In attack, 52 goals scored is the second highest in the league behind PSV, while also conceding 34 goals, more than the side currently second from bottom, NAC Breda. Due to the desire to attack, mixed with an openness in defence, they are averaging over four goals a game.
Underperfoming sides
NEC are also taking advantage of the struggles of usual challengers AZ Alkmaar and Twente.
AZ recently sacked their manager after one win in seven, while Twente are slowly recovering after an early-season dismissal following one win in their opening five. Both teams are six/seven points behind the Champions League spots.
Sparta are also threatening a place in Europe, for the first time since 1994. The Rotterdam-based team are currently in fifth, hunting down a Europa League spot. Five straight wins in a row, their best top-flight run for 53 years, has left them only three points off a Champions League spot.
