PSV grabs second spot, with big win over Excelsior after all

PSV regained second place in the Eredivisie, on an evening that, in terms of the game shown, the Eindhoveners would like to forget as soon as possible. The victory over relegation candidate Excelsior was flattered (4-0).

Illustrative of the game was the action of Xavi Simons, after an hour of play. Completely free for Stijn van Gassel, the striker shot hopelessly over. It was only in the closing stages that the superiority was expressed in goals.

Fortunately for the home club, striker Luuk de Jong was important again in his so disappointing season with the liberating opening goal on this evening. After a fine piece of cap and turn Patrick van Aanholt played himself free on the left and served De Jong with a measured pass over the ground.

Watch the reactions of Ruud van Nistelrooij, Xavi Simons and Marinus Dijkhuizen here:

It was otherwise extremely sloppy what PSV put on the mat. Against the most passable defense in the Eredivisie, De Jong’s early 1-0 seemed an excellent opportunity to work on the goal difference. That could become crucial in the battle for the second place and thus the lucrative Champions League qualification.

Although the gap with leaders Feyenoord was reduced to five points, this was not a team that radiated belief in the title.

Indeed, it could have gone completely the wrong way for PSV if Kenzo Goudmijn had equalized just before halftime. Because the midfielder had an excellent chance to do so, after the agile Couhaib Driouech had played himself free.

Just after halftime, a Julian Baas peg sailed just wide before PSV took control again. On behalf of PSV, Joey Veerman should have long since doubled the score at that point, and so it all stopped short.

Still, the score fell wide in the closing stages. Nathan Tjoe-A-On allowed himself to be pushed off the ball by Jordan Teze, Fábio Silva missed, but Simons dove in for the 2-0. On the third Eindhoven goal, the roles were reversed and Simons served the Portuguese. Erick Gutiérrez worked in another corner that was headed through.

After reaching the cup final a few days later, PSV is suddenly also the most treacherous team in the premier league, although Ajax’s goal difference remains better. The Amsterdammers host Fortuna Sittard on Sunday and, if they win, they can equalize in points with Eindhoven.