PSV managed to beat Heracles with pain and effort. In a spectacular match, in which three penalties were awarded, the Eindhoven team took a 2-0 lead on Saturday evening but then gave it away completely. Heracles leveled twice, but in the end Guus Til was the savior and made the final score 4-3.
Peter Bosz wouldn’t be Peter Bosz if he had a few changes in the line-up in store. This time, Armando Obispo started in the starting line-up and Ricardo Pepi started in striker. Before the match, all the PSV players who lost their lives were remembered. There was a minute of applause and a beautiful banner was displayed in honor of founder Frits Philips, who died twenty years ago.
A good combination between Dennis Man and Guus Til ensured that the latter could only target the keeper in minute 19. However, just before he wanted to shoot, Til was forced to the ground and so the ball hit the spot. Damon Mirani was the perpetrator and received a yellow card from referee Alex Bos, although a red card would not have been surprising. And like a real striker who takes responsibility, Ricardo Pepi coolly shot in from eleven meters.
Armando Obispo headed towards goal after half, but his attempt was saved by Timo Jansink. The subsequent corner was again headed by Obispo, but this time against the arm of a Heraclied and so the ball hit the spot for the second time. This time it was up to Ismael Saibari and he also shot the ball against the ropes.
Third penalty
It seemed to be an easy evening in the Philips Stadium. PSV did not have to put too much intensity into the match and Heracles only came in front of the Eindhoven goal once, without really becoming dangerous. Until a few seconds before half-time, when the referee was called to the VAR screen.
It was initially thought that PSV would receive a third penalty, after Anass Salah-Eddine claimed a handball a few seconds earlier. But once we reached the screen, it turned out to be a handball by Mauro Júnior in his own box, resulting in Heracles being awarded a penalty. Ex-FC Den Bosch striker Jizz Hornkamp stood behind the ball and scored the tying goal, meaning PSV still had to pay attention in the second half.
Heracles takes the upper hand
Dennis Man shot the crossbar shortly after halftime and PSV was looking for the 3-1. However, Heracles came out of nowhere to level in the sixtieth minute. Hornkamp passed the ball to substitute Luka Kulenović, who tapped in the 2-2. And so PSV suddenly had to get to work, while shortly before half-time nothing seemed to be wrong.
However, it was not the home team, but the club from Almelo that took the upper hand. PSV keeper Matej Kovar had to make three beautiful saves to prevent Heracles from taking the lead. Fortunately for the fans present, the goalkeeper on the other side had a bad day and a seemingly tenable shot from Joey Veerman fell into the net.
If you think that’s it, you’re very wrong. Less than five minutes later it was already 3-3. Substitute Couhaib Driouech gave a hospital ball in his own half, after which Jizz Hornkamp put his second on the scoreboard.
Til saves PSV
And that wasn’t the last goal either. Because if PSV needs to be saved, there is still a man who is in top form this season. After a rush from Sergiño Dest down the right flank, he found PSV’s top scorer, Guus Til, in the box. And for the 27-year-old, those kinds of balls are always successful this season. Once again he calmly pushed the ball into the bottom corner.
When referee Alex Bos blew his whistle for the last time fifteen minutes later, you felt the relief go through the Philips Stadium. PSV made things unnecessarily difficult for themselves on Saturday, but also showed resilience by always coming back and ultimately taking the three points.
The next match for the Eredivisie leaders awaits on Tuesday. Then amateur team GVVV visits Eindhoven for a match in the EuroJackpot KNVB Cup.