PSV plays with fire in festival of errors against straggler Cambuur

NOS Football–today, 18:41

Watch the summary of PSV – SC Cambuur

Despite defensive clumsiness, PSV suffered no injury Sunday against bottom-placed SC Cambuur: 5-2. The Eindhoveners remain fourth in the Eredivisie after the third win in a row.

The Frisians had proven that Cambuur could win against PSV on Oct. 1 last year: it was 3-0 in Leeuwarden then. Coach Sjors Ultee’s team was helped on their way in Eindhoven by the home team. After ball loss by Ibrahim Sangaré and a miss by Patrick van Aanholt, Remco Balk took advantage: 0-1.

After another misplay n the PSV defense, by Jarrad Branthwaite, Balk again got a free pass. However, the Cambuur striker failed to score his second goal and shot wide.

More mistakes, PSV has the last laugh

Cambuur also blundered on. Mitchel Paulissen wasted the ball just before the own penalty area and Xavi Simons punished that mistake mercilessly. The 19-year-old midfielder rounded Robbin Ruiter and scored his 12th major league goal of the season.

ProShots

Hugs for Anwar El Ghazi after his goal against SC Cambuur
Pro Shots

Johan Bakayoko in duel with Alex Bangura
Pro Shots

Remco Balk

Branthwaite seemed to make up for his mistake even before halftime, but on the advice of VAR, the goal was disallowed by referee Jannick van der Laan because of alleged obstructive offside by Sangaré. With that, PSV went into the break 1-1 after a very mediocre first half.

In the second half things went a bit better and it was Van Aanholt who found the net after his mistake from earlier. This goal just counted, though. The left-back shot the ball into the far corner from outside the penalty area.

Via a volley by substitute Anwar El Ghazi, PSV got to 3-1, a header by Bjørn Johnsen brought the tension back, but after a razor-sharp penalty kick by Fábio Silva (after a clumsy handball by Leon Bergsma) it was really decided.

El Ghazi provided the tasty dessert after a flashy combination: 5-2.

PSV coach Ruud van Nistelrooij was especially disappointed with the first half after the 5-2 win at home against SC Cambuur. “How we started this match is unacceptable,” the former striker said.

“They can make it three in no time,” Van Nistelrooij said. “It’s about the energy and ambition with which you come out of the locker room. This just shouldn’t happen, especially at the stage of the season we’re in. We are playing for important things.”

Van Nistelrooij thinks the weak first half may have to do with underestimation. “That will be it, yes. But we can’t afford a lesser focus. It’s about the body attitude you exude on the pitch. After halftime, we showed that we can play fine soccer. I consider this an incident.”