PSV suffered an expensive loss of points in the battle for second place. The team played a 2-2 draw against sc Heerenveen at Philips Stadium, leaving the gap with number three AZ only one point.
Tough start
After sc Heerenveen scored the only serious goal attempts in the first quarter of an hour, PSV took control of the game through Mario Götze. The German playmaker, already a goal-scorer in Heerenveen earlier this season, often found space between the tightly packed lines of the Frisians and offered fellow attackers Eran Zahavi and Donyell Malen opportunities to open the scoring.
Defeat
They failed to do so and although PSV had a field advantage after the opening quarter, sc Heerenveen took the lead after just over half an hour of play. Midfielder Halilovic was not given a good enough foothold and passed Yvon Mvogo with a shot from distance. Ibrahim Sangaré almost did the same at the other end a few minutes later, but his effort hit the post.
Three crazy minutes
Because it remained at that, a considerable challenge awaited PSV after halftime. In the hunt for a turnaround, Roger Schmidt intervened. With substitutes Noni Madueke, Yorbe Vertessen and Armando Obispo, PSV was a lot more confident, but did not take the lead after an hour of play, which was remarkable. In three crazy minutes Vertessen scored his first goal (1-1), Cody Gakpo fired a beautiful shot (2-1) and De Jong scored the equalizer (2-2) on behalf of Heerenveen.
Art and craft
Sc Heerenveen kept its footing with a lot of effort. PSV hit the post, the side netting, goalkeeper Mulder and perhaps deserved a penalty after a hands ball by Van Hecke. In the closing stages, Malen almost promoted a cross from Jordan Teze to the winning goal, but PSV got away well on a number of occasions towards the final whistle. PSV remains second, but sees AZ come within one point. Against Willem II, FC Utrecht and PEC Zwolle that second place has to be secured.
