The report

In the last league round before carnival there was a real topper on paper. The numbers one and two met at Sportpark Papendal, respectively Vitesse and PSV. It should be noted that Vitesse is the leader with 9 points from 4 matches, PSV lost less points but played 3 matches so far. A win today would therefore see the Eindhoveners take the lead. This was not an easy challenge, as Vitesse finished in the placing series before the winter break as the leaders and it was not for nothing that they showed up at the top of the standings again now. Moreover, the Arnhem team was in a good flow. Only the first round was lost, followed by three victories including a three-peat against Ajax last week. A fascinating battle in advance.

After a first quarter of an hour in which PSV was the better footballing team, the Eindhovenites took the lead in the 17th minute. On the left side, Koen Jansen played to the free-standing Ruben van Bommel. He then sent away the deep Jason van Duiven who opened via cross ball to the right side where Iggy Houben was free. Once in possession, Iggy slalomed his way through the Vitesse defense before finishing coolly: 0-1. After the lead, PSV remained the better footballing team. It got chances, but was unlucky that Jason's efforts did not result in goals. Just before half time PSV got the lid on the nose. After a shot from Matteo Dams was turned away, the ball was in the goal on the counter attack. A slip in the back was eventually completed. Immediately after the kickoff, Chahid el Allachi set Iggy free in front of the goalkeeper with a great cross. This time Iggy was not successful, as his slide went wide. PSV thus did not reward themselves sufficiently before halftime.

After halftime, the game tipped over in the space of three minutes. Two personal mistakes in the back line allowed the fast Vitesse striker to turn the score to 3-1. With fifteen minutes left to play, Vitesse missed a great opportunity to make it 4-1, giving PSV hope. That hope was increased in the 59th minute when Iggy headed in a corner from Ruben to score the tying goal. PSV tried to force the equalizer in the closing stages, but did not get much further than a shot from Isaac Babadi that went over. Finally, deep into injury time, Vitesse scored the 4-2 when PSV had many players in front of the ball on a quickly taken Vitesse free kick.

Thus, PSV lost today to a physically stronger Vitesse. An unnecessary defeat that came about partly due to inattentiveness in the final line. Next Tuesday PSV has the catch-up match at home against Ajax on the program.

Setup:
Kjell Peersman; Bram Rovers, Luc Netten (C), Yaël Gil y Muinos, Koen Jansen (52/Isaac Babadi); Lars Putters, Matteo Dams, Chahid el Allachi; Iggy Houben, Jason van Duiven, Ruben van Bommel (64/Tim van den Heuvel).

Yellow card: Chahid el Allachi