PSV gives away lead at Vitesse and fails to get next to Ajax: ‘Unacceptable’

PSV failed to take the full win at Vitesse, falling further behind in the title race. It ended up 1-1 in Arnhem. With that, PSV failed to equalize in points with Ajax, which lost the Klassieker to leaders Feyenoord.

“I’m extremely bummed,” said Xavi Simons. “This is just not possible. Unacceptable. You can see it coming. It bothers me. Here, as PSV, you just have to win.” Coach Ruud van Nistelrooij had the same feeling: “We had to win, but became too passive after the 1-0. Then you call it on yourself.”

Watch reactions from Xavi Simons, Ruud van Nistelrooij and Vitesse coach Phillip Cocu below.

Thanks to Simons, PSV got an early lead, and also thanks to Marco van Ginkel. The ex-PSV player from Vitesse inadvertently sent Simons into the depths and another ex-PSV player, Nicolas Isimat-Mirin, then gave Simons too much space and you shouldn’t give him that.

Simons cut in behind the standleg past Isimat-Mirin and fired in the opening goal in the eighth minute. It was the 19-year-old Simons’ thirteenth premier league goal of the season. He followed in illustrious footsteps.

Simons became the first teenager with more than 12 premier league goals for PSV in one season since Ronaldo in the 1994/1995 season.

Simons will not reach the final total of thirty goals of Brazilian phenom Ronaldo, but what the talent is showing is impressive. To the visible frustration of Simons and also Van Nistelrooij, PSV did not push forward after the early opening goal.

The Eindhoveners took gas and allowed the home team to get back into the match. Through Million Manhoef, Vitesse was dangerous. The left winger unsuccessfully claimed a penalty kick after a duel with André Ramalho, and Patrick van Aanholt prevented Manhoef from striking with a slide.

The best chances were for PSV. Van Aanholt shot narrowly wide, Fábio Silva headed at the post and in the second half Luuk de Jong failed to double the score. The striker worked the ball past after a corner from close range. Moments later, things went wrong at the other end for PSV.

After nonchalant defending from Ibrahim Sangaré, Van Aanholt had to pull the emergency brake and from the awarded free kick the 1-1 fell. Van Ginkel extended and the ball disappeared through Sangaré’s chest into the goal.

An unnecessary goal that cost PSV two points, hence the frustration of Simons and Van Nistelrooij.