Feyenoord have missed out on the chance to close in on Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie table after succumbing to a 3-1 defeat away at PSV Eindhoven.

The visitors got off to the worst possible start when Jeffrey Bruma turned a tentative cross into his own net just four minutes in.

Luuk de Jong came close to bringing his side level on numerous occasions, but his effort in the eighth minute soared over, while Kenneth Vermeer was responsible for a smart save from his 23rd-minute chance.

PSV continued to threaten and succeeded in netting the equaliser eight minutes before the break as Maxime Lestienne latched on to an inch-perfect cross into the box and smashed the ball inside the right post.

The hosts then edged into the lead five minutes after the restart when Luciano Narsingh's cross fell to Santiago Arias, who found space inside the box to rifle the ball into the back of the net.

Feyenoord stepped it up after falling behind, with Bilal Basacikoglu coming close on several occasions and Dirk Kuyt smashing a header against the post.

Nevertheless PSV were given a premium opportunity to seal the win eight minutes from time when Eljero Elia's infringement in the visitors' box prompted the referee to award the hosts a penalty.

Jurgen Locadia stepped up and duly slotted the ball into the bottom-left corner, the opposition goalkeeper diving the wrong way.

The game continued to provide action in the latter stages, with Bruma and Kuyt squandering gilt-edged chances for their respective teams, but when the final whistle blew, all three points would go to PSV.

Philip Cocu's charges rise to sixth in the Eredivisie table following their win, while Feyenoord remain third, three points behind leaders Ajax.