Reigning champions PSV started with a largely reshuffled back line following their 5-3 win over NEC Nijmegen. Ryan Flamingo and Yarek Gasiorowski returned to the starting line-up and were flanked by Sergino Dest and Ajax youth academy product Anass Salah-Eddine, who earned his first PSV start.
Scrutinised Ajax boss John Heitinga handed the returned Kasper Dolberg his first start of the season, as well as Brazilian full-back Lucas Rosa, who replaced Anton Gaaei at right-back.
Youri Regeer kept his spot in the starting lineup, keeping Oscar Gloukh on the bench after his 15-million-euro move from Red Bull Salzburg. 11-million-euro-rated Raul Moro was also left on the bench, as Oliver Edvardsen was given the nod over the Spaniard for the third game running.
The game, which started late after fireworks from the home crowd engulfed the stadium in smoke, saw PSV get off to a perfect start when Ismael Saibari was allowed to freely head in the opener in the seventh minute from an Ivan Perisic cross.
After getting nowhere near PSV's goal in the first thirty minutes, Ajax were handed a lucky break when Oliver Edvardsen was brought down inside PSV's box by Sergino Dest, who floored the Norwegian winger with a push. The penalty was given after checks, and Kenneth Taylor converted from the spot to give the Amsterdam side a surprising goal.
PSV were less lucky when Youri Baas made a goal-line clearance after a corner, but were left worried when Ruben van Bommel's knee collapsed, forcing the winger to be carried off the pitch in the 40th minute with a seemingly severe injury.
Ajax, who focused on countering in the opening half, could've taken a surprising lead on the verge of half-time, but Kenneth Taylor and Mika Godts could not finish Ajax's two biggest chances of the first half. Ivan Perisic fired a rocket at Vitezslav Jaros' goal shortly after, but also saw his effort fly wide of the post.
The second half opened with several chances for both sides. Ajax's Mika Godts couldn't finish two chances of his own, whereas PSV's Ismael Saibari missed a big chance, and Ricardo Pepi aimed his header at Jaros.
Joey Veerman saved PSV ten minutes after the break with a goal-line clearance on an effort from Mika Godts, after which Yarek Gasiorowski blocked a promising chance for the Belgian.
PSV became sloppier, giving Ajax several chances to create a promising attack. Without a natural striker - Kasper Dolberg was taken off during half-time for Oscar Gloukh - the Amsterdam side were not very efficient, aiming just two of their eight shots after thirty minutes on target.
Tense final 15 minutes
Glouk came eerily close to giving Ajax their first lead of the day, but the creative midfielder saw his effort from distance fly just wide of Matej Kovar's post. Shortly after, PSV came close to retaking the lead themselves when Jaros mishandled a cross and saw the ball nearly bounce in, but was saved by Gozubuyuk, who blew for a foul on Jaros from Guus Til.
Saibari created a dangerous chance when his classy backheel touch outplayed Ajax defenders, and Ricardo Pepi blocked Josip Sutalo, but the Moroccan midfielder couldn't stay calm and blasted his open shot at goal wide right. Saibari got a second chance less than a minute later, but did not put enough power in it that time and saw Jaros make an easy save.
The Philips Stadion erupted in the 81st minute as PSV retook the lead via Yarek Gasiorowski, who scored PSV's second headed goal of the day after being left unmarked in the heart of Ajax's defense.
John Heitinga went all-in in the final stages of the game, bringing on Raul Moro for Lucas Rosa to force an equaliser and was rewarded for his effort not long after.
In the 88th minute, super-sub Oscar Gloukh finished a beautifully created chance by himself and Kenneth Taylor, who lobbed the ball into PSV's box for the Israeli midfielder to finish past Kovar.
PSV were left disappointed after giving away a late lead against Ajax, who stay one point behind PSV and did not close the gap to leaders Feyenoord.
Check out all the match and player statistics on Flashscore.
