PSV cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Heracles

PSV cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win over Heracles Almelo at the Philips Stadium. The visitors ended the game down to ten men. Afellay, Dzsudzsák, Toivonen and Vukovic all scored a goal for PSV. Heracles goalkeeper Pieckenhagen was sent off on the half-hour mark. PSV dominated proceedings from start until finish.

Pieckenhagen was given his marching orders
PSV did not waste any time and almost opened the scoring in the first minute when Dzsudzsák provided the cross from the left but Bakkal failed to apply a headed finish. The midfielder got another chance a few minutes later, but one-one-one with Pieckenhagen, the Holland international miskicked the ball. The German custodian became the centre of attention after thirty minutes when he was given his marching orders for kicking Toivonen. Heracles played a compact defence in Eindhoven and after they had been reduced to ten men, they were forced to defend even more deeply. PSV created plenty of chances but neither Toivonen nor Manolev could make the breakthrough. Ibrahim Afellay eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time. The midfielder smashed a superb left-footed shot into the top corner: 1-0.

Dzsudzsák, Toivonen and Vukovic scored second-half goals
PSV killed off the game soon after the restart. Dzsudzsák doubled the lead after 50 minutes when he let the ball bounce on the edge of the area before smacking in a sensational strike: 2-0. Twelve minutes later, Toivonen latched unto Bakkal’s clever through ball and calmly placed the ball past Heracles´ substitute keeper Telgenkamp: 3-0. Ten-man Heracles were overwhelmed and outplayed by PSV, who created a host of chances to extend their lead further. André Ooijer made a comeback, coming on for Manolev, while Jonathan replaced Toivonen. Things went from bad to worse for Heracles when Maertens was forced off the field after Heracles coach Verbeek had already made his three substitutions. PSV finished the rout with a goal from substitute Vukovic three minutes from time. The Serbian defender unleashed a fierce 20-yard drive into the top corner, scoring his first Eredivisie goal with a cracking effort: 4-0.