PSV again took three points in the Premier League on Friday evening. This time Fortuna Sittard had to believe it. With two goals from the man in form, Ismael Saibari, the score became 5-2. PSV soon had a large lead, but then made things unnecessarily difficult for themselves.
PSV started the match strongly, which quickly resulted in several opportunities. Fortuna Sittard was mainly concerned with stopping and hid in its own half, hoping that PSV made a mistake.
However, the people of Eindhoven did not do that. On the contrary even. A cross from Dennis Man landed on the head of -who else than- Ismael Saibari and he headed the ball into the intersection to make it 1-0 on the scoreboard. He already made his seventh of this Eredivisie season.
Then Fortuna got her first chance. An incorrect pass from Yarek Gasiorowski led to a dangerous counter from the Limburgers. But Matej Kovar was able to save the ball with his foot.
And an equalizer is not something goldcrest Ismael Saibari will let happen. So he then shot the 2-0 hard into the short corner, to also make his eighth. Fortuna Sittard really had no chance in the first half and PSV thought it was enough.
At least, that’s what everyone thought except Dennis Man. He started a solo down the right flank a minute before half time. After putting aside three Fortuna players, he also finished the ball brilliantly. A beautiful goal to send PSV into halftime with a comfortable 3-0.
At halftime, Harrie Lavreysen was honored on the field after he won four gold medals at the Track Cycling World Championships in Chile.
Sloppy second half
In the second half, PSV already seemed to be thinking about Athens, where the Champions League match against Olympiacos is scheduled for Tuesday. Ivan Perisic, Anass Salah-Eddine, Jerdy Schouten and Mauro Júnior were all taken off early.
And that was also reflected in the game. The concentration seemed to be gone at PSV and referee Bas Nijhuis was even called aside by the VAR after an alleged handball by Ryan Flamingo in his own box. However, Nijhuis did not go along with this.
Even that was none wake-up call for Peter Bosz’s players. Goalkeeper Kovar first played the ball into the opponent’s feet, after which he also let the ball slip through his hands and let former PSV player Justin Lonwijk from Tilburg make it 3-1.
Fortuna even seemed to come close to 3-2. But substitute Paul Gladon shot into his own teammate. In the counter-attack, Ricardo Pepi, who also came on, broke free from his opponent with a quick feint and crossed the ball over the keeper like a real striker. Fortuna also made it 4-2 via a wonderful long shot into the top corner by Kaj Sierhuis. Then it was PSV’s turn again. In the closing seconds Guus Til scored the 5-2 final score.
Champions League
PSV is back at the top, but competitor Feyenoord still plays against FC Volendam and could be on the same level. The next match for PSV awaits on Tuesday. Then Peter Bosz and his men head to Greece, where Olympiacos are waiting in the Champions League.