De Jong brings relief to Eindhoven with hundredth PSV goal: win over Twente

PSV has thrown FC Twente back in the battle for the top spots in the Eredivisie. The Eindhovenians won the topper 3-1 and increased the gap with number five FC Twente to six points.

A boost for coach Ruud van Nistelrooij’s team after Thursday’s European elimination. Luuk de Jong scored his 100th Eredivisie goal for PSV and Xavi Simons provided the fine final chord.

Portuguese winter acquisition Fábio Silva made his first start for PSV after goals as a substitute against FC Groningen and Sevilla. The striker quickly lived up to that election by heading in a Johan Bakayoko cross in the ninth minute.

In the remainder of the first half, the chances were lacking. Just after halftime, PSV seemed to double the lead after an action by Simons, who put Silva in position. However, the Portuguese decided to lay back to Simons and that was not a good choice. Away chance.

The misjudgment immediately cost PSV dearly. A cross from the left by FC Twente attacker Virgil Misidjan was missed by Michel Vlap and Ricky van Wolfswinkel, but PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez allowed himself to be surprised and saw the ball disappear into the far corner.

Things could have gotten worse for PSV after that, but Benitez turned away a shot by Václav Cerný and André Ramalho defused Vlap’s rebound. After another good cross from Bakayoko, Luuk de Jong provided relief in Eindhoven with the 2-1 in the 57th minute.

Watch reactions from Luuk de Jong, Xavi Simons, Twente coach Ron Jans and Virgil Misidjan below.

De Jong scored his first premier league goal for PSV on Aug. 31, 2014 against Vitesse and now joined the club of a hundred almost nine years later. He is the sixth PSV player to reach that milestone, following premier league top scorer Willy van der Kuijlen (308), Coen Dillen (119), Luc Nilis (110), Hallvar Thoresen (106) and Mateja Kezman (105).

“Still something to be proud of,” De Jong said. “Are beautiful names among them. I’m super proud to have achieved this at this wonderful club. The number one is very far away, but who knows, maybe I can overtake those others.”

Simons secured the win and completed the celebration with the 3-1 in the 74th minute. He miraculously took a long pass from Ibrahim Sangaré and expertly finished in duel with Mees Hilgers.

It was his 11th premier league goal of the season for Simons, making him a co-top scorer.