PSV battles to win in Waalwijk, but sees De Jong out injured

PSV were able to celebrate an away win in the Eredivisie for the first time since November last year. The Eindhoven players got away well at RKC Waalwijk several times, but the victory at the regional rival was deserved: 0-1.

PSV is in calmer waters after wins over Sevilla, FC Twente and ADO Den Haag respectively. However, those three victories came about in Eindhoven, because outside the city of lights the Eindhovenites perform considerably less. PSV’s last away win was on Nov. 6 at Ajax (1-2).

Against the currently very nice performing RKC, the current number eight of the Eredivisie, it might have been a difficult afternoon for PSV. But there was no question of that before halftime.

Although RKC’s Thierry Lutonda missed a huge shooting opportunity after eleven minutes by shooting the ball just over, PSV was lord and master. Xavi Simons in particular was a plague for the RKC players in midfield, who needed quite a few fouls to stop him.

PSV was on top, creating chances, but also saw that RKC goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen had an excellent afternoon. The keeper first saved on a header from Fábio Silva’s rebound and was just able to put his foot against the ball on a Luuk de Jong effort. Simons hit the bar after a fine move.

The in-form Johan Bakayoko gave PSV the lead after 35 minutes by shooting the ball hard into the goal from the air.

The young Belgian, who recently extended his contract, was involved in a PSV goal for the fifth game in a row (four goals and two assists in PSV’s last five games).

In the second half, RKC made themselves heard much more and PSV got away well on a number of occasions. First, it was Michiel Kramer who headed the ball just wide on a pass from Iliass Bel Hassani, and later it was Bel Hassani himself who shot the ball rakishly wide in the penalty area.

PSV did not panic, but it did take a hit when captain Luuk de Jong had to be substituted due to an ankle injury.

The former international, who announced his farewell at Oanje last Friday, landed wrong and took a seat on the reserve bench moments later with a packed left ankle.

PSV’s play became messy, especially in the switch, Van Nistelrooij’s team was careless, and RKC smelled its chance. Florian Jozefzoon received the ball on a silver platter from Julian Lelieveld, but the striker shot over.

PSV eventually got through the nervous closing stages unscathed, scoring its fourth win (all competitions) in a row.