Feyenoord surrendered first place in the Eredivisie on Sunday after losing 5-3 away to sc Heerenveen, according to NOS. The Rotterdam club, managed by Giovanni van Bronckhorst, had led 2-0 before conceding five goals in Friesland.
It was Feyenoord's first league defeat of the season. PSV moved above them later in the afternoon with a 2-5 win at SC Cambuur. Ajax and FC Twente could also have overtaken Feyenoord but both drew 2-2.
Why it matters
The result ends Feyenoord's spell at the summit and extends a difficult run. NOS reports that Van Bronckhorst's team has now gone five matches without a win in all competitions, while Heerenveen have won five in a row, cup games included.
Heerenveen came into the match as the Eredivisie's most in-form side, having collected more points than any other club over the previous five rounds. NOS noted that Robin Veldman's players showed confidence and played composed football against the league leaders.
A lead built on individual quality and a disputed penalty
Feyenoord went ahead through Anis Hadj Moussa, who cut in from the right and curled a left-footed shot into the far corner. The lead was doubled from the spot after a penalty decision that caused visible anger in Heerenveen.
Referee Danny Makkelie awarded the kick on the advice of his assistant after a sliding challenge by Vasilios Zagaritis. The defender blocked a cross from Givairo Read and the ball struck the arm he was using to support himself on the ground. Makkelie later explained that an arm in that position is not always treated as a supporting arm during a sliding tackle. Nacho Ferri converted to make it 0-2.
Zagaritis applauded the assistant sarcastically, the home crowd made its feelings known, and Veldman was shown a yellow card for his protests, NOS reports.
Feyenoord came close to a third through efforts from Gjivai Zechiël, but the visitors' advantage was greater than their overall performance deserved. Heerenveen pulled one back just before half-time when captain Maas Willemsen found the ball at his feet from a corner and finished.
Meerveld turns the game after the break
Early in the second half Heerenveen were level. Levi Smans scored with a shot that was deflected by Feyenoord defender Tsuyoshi Watanabe, leaving goalkeeper Tjark Ernst wrong-footed.
Feyenoord had already looked unconvincing before the interval despite their two goals, and after it they briefly lost their grip on the game. Substitute Ringo Meerveld put Heerenveen 3-2 up following good work by Jacob Trenskow.
Van Bronckhorst responded with three substitutions, and within three minutes Sem Steijn equalised at 3-3 after a mistake in the Heerenveen defence. The reprieve did not last. Heerenveen pushed forward again and Meerveld settled the match, scoring his second from the edge of the penalty area and completing his hat-trick in stoppage time from the rebound to make it 5-3.
Speaking to ESPN.nl after the game, Meerveld said he believes he deserves to be starting: "I think I should be playing." De Volkskrant described how the substitute's three goals forced Feyenoord into deep reflection.
Van Bronckhorst told NOS that losing by this scoreline hurts badly, while Veldman said momentum was the key factor in his team's win.
The result leaves Feyenoord's title defence under pressure and hands PSV the initiative at the top. Feyenoord will be looking to end their winless run in their next league fixture, while Heerenveen will try to keep their winning sequence going.
