After a tough start to 2025, PSV bounced back with three straight wins in all competitions, one of which a 3-2 win over Premier League leaders Liverpool on the final day of the Champions League's League Phase.
A win away at NEC Nijmegen would secure PSV a 4-point lead after this crucial weekend in which chasers Ajax play the 'Klassieker' derby against Feyenoord.
PSV created the bulk of the chances in the opening ten minutes but it was NEC which got the biggest chance at the opening goal when French full-back Brayann Pereira fired a free shot at goal wide.
A lacklustre PSV couldn't create much at all in the opening half and got away nicely again when Indonesian international Calvin Verdonk volleyed the ball at Walter Benitez, but the Argentinian stopper kept his goal safe.
Rather surprisingly, PSV took the lead just seven minutes after the start of the second half as the NEC defense couldn't clear the ball properly and handed Luuk de Jong a golden opportunity at the opener. The experienced striker pounced on it and fired the ball past NEC goalkeeper Robin Roefs for the 0-1.
The visitors picked up the pace and commanded the game in the second half but still couldn't create an abundance of big chances, leaving NEC alive.
The home side found the equaliser just fifteen minutes after De Jong's opener when Sami Ouaissa smartly pounced on a scrimmage in the penalty area after Vito van Crooij whipped in a free-kick.
Putting their foot on the throttle once more, PSV retook the lead just seven minutes later as Ismael Saibari smashed the ball behind Roefs for the 2-1.
Johan Bakayoko then doubled PSV's lead just three minutes later when the Belgian winger calmly finished a Mauro Junior pass, earning the Brazilian his second assist of the half.
With PSV seemingly cruising towards the end, Ryan Flamingo sent a short pass back to Walter Benitez, giving Japanese winger Kento Shiogai the opportunity to intercept the ball and get NEC back to within one goal after finishing in front of an empty net in the 90th minute.
A tense period of injury time commenced and ended up making PSV's worst nightmares come true when Benitez badly misjudged a Vito van Crooij corner-kick and could only watch Bryan Linssen slot home the equaliser in the 95th minute.
PSV dropped valuable points in the title chase for the third time in four league games and could see rivals Ajax - who have a game in hand - close the gap to just two points with a win in the 'Klassieker' derby against Feyenoord.
With NEC's two three goals, PSV conceded at least twice in seven consecutive for the first time since 1958. The Nijmegen team welcomed the draw as the point keeps NEC within arm's length of the top 8.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Johan Bakayoko (PSV)