PSV took maximum advantage of rival Ajax's slip against Heracles Almelo on Tuesday. In Rotterdam, coach Phillip Cocu's team won 1-3 from Excelsior. With that, PSV reduced the gap with the Amsterdam frontrunner to one point.
Fifteenth goal of the season De Jong
At a bleak Woudestein, which was autumnal due to the constant rain, PSV actually struggled with Excelsior's fierce and strong play throughout the first half. However, it was the home team that had to concede the first and only goal of the first half. In the 8th minute, Guardado found top scorer De Jong at the far post with a fine cross, which gave PSV the lead with his fifteenth goal of the season. Exactly ten minutes later, the same De Jong should have also put PSV ahead 0-2 after a fine attack through the heart of the Rotterdam defense, but this time the captain slid wide. Excelsior in turn had three or four very nice opportunities to equalize before halftime, but lacked sharpness in finishing.
Luuk de Jong puts PSV in the lead with a crisp header after 8 minutes | © Pics United
Victory quickly secured after halftime
That came at great cost to the home side after halftime. Cocu sent a razor-sharp PSV into the second half and saw his team decide the game within 15 minutes. In the 48th minute Hendrix scored the 0-2 with a dry blast into the crossbar, after which Narsingh crowned his strong play from after the winter break by placing the ball neatly behind goalkeeper Kurto after a fine solo. With that goal, Narsingh also equaled a personal record; for the first time since 2012 the outfielder found the net in three consecutive Eredivisie games. PSV then failed to further increase the score through Locadia and Willems, among others, and saw Excelsior become dangerous from time to time. In the closing minutes, PSV even had to allow another goal. Van Weert and Bruma together slipped the ball behind Zoet to make it 1-3.
Luciano Narsingh provided the decision in the match with the 0-3 | © Pics United