PSV simple past NEC in Nijmegen, despite impressive final act Tannane
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Watch the summary of NEC – PSV
Better performances outside of Eindhoven are what PSV needs to keep their title dream alive. With a 4-2 victory at NEC, coach Ruud van Nistelrooij got exactly what he had hoped for beforehand.
For now, PSV is back in second place. Ajax can pass them on Sunday with a win at Go Ahead Eagles in Deventer.
Only five times PSV won in the previous thirteen away matches, against eleven wins in as many home games. At home PSV is the best club in the premier league, away from home the number six. The PSV of home should also be on display away from home, was Van Nistelrooij’s wish beforehand.
Flashy start and Ramadan break
With a little help from Jasper Cillessen, PSV had a flashy start. The NEC and Oranje goalkeeper turned away a shot by Xavi Simons, but gave away a simple rebound to Luuk de Jong, who found the net (0-1).
After applause for the late PSV press chief Thijs Slegers in the 12th minute and a Ramadan dinner break for NEC players Oussama Tannane and Souffian El Karouani, the visitors took further distance.
Ramadan in the premier league: the sun has set, so drinking and eating is allowed again
Olivier Boscagli was in the starting lineup for the first time since April 2, 2022, almost a year ago, and also scored immediately, just like in that match against FC Twente (3-3) 365 days ago. After a free kick by Joey Veerman, recovered from the stomach flu that cost him an Orange week, the French defender headed in the rebound (0-2).
Immediately, the value of that goal became clear. Boscagli, back from a serious knee injury, celebrated his goal with emotion. After a fine counter, PSV decided the game before halftime. Guus Til conquered the ball and via Veerman, Simons and Luuk de Jong the ball finally went into the goal (0-3) via the inside of Veerman’s left foot.
Offense between De Jong and Tannane
Luuk de Jong and Tannane got into an altercation towards the end of the first half. The NEC player stepped on the PSV striker’s foot during a duel and then patted De Jong on the back. De Jong did not take kindly to that.
“Why are you doing that?”, De Jong wondered. “Keep your hands off.” Tannane thought De Jong was exaggerating: “Very childish. They try to take me out of my game like that. I used to stay angry. Now I know I just have to keep playing my game and enjoy it.”
Watch reactions from Luuk de Jong and Oussama Tannane below:
Five minutes into the second half, De Jong put PSV up 0-4 on a pass from Patrick van Aanholt. Initially, referee Edwin van de Graaf whistled for offside, but De Jong was confident and was vindicated by VAR.
Tannane has last word
The only NEC player who did not give in at this score was Tannane. First the trendsetter shot the ball mercilessly into the cross from a corner of the penalty area, and just before time he also popped a free kick into the ropes (2-4). Tannane had to pay for that last effort with an injury, though.
It was only PSV’s second away win of 2023. For Van Nistelrooij, the win offers hope. If PSV will also win convincingly away from home, everything is still possible for him. “We continue to believe in it,” the coach said afterwards. “You never know.”
Watch the reactions of PSV coach Ruud van Nistelrooij and NEC coach Rogier Meijer below:
