Donyell Malen struck a hat-trick as PSV comfortably coasted to a 5-0 victory against Vitesse in the Philips Stadion on Saturday night. Malen set PSV on their way with a first-half brace, added a third straight after the restart before slotting home from the penalty spot in the 83rd and 89th minute. PSV moved into second place in the Eredivisie table, with 15 points from five games, level with Ajax.
Donyell Malen bags first-half brace
Bruma and Bergwijn had returned to full fitness and were recalled to PSV’s starting line-up. The opening exchanges were lively: Mohamed Ihattaren forced Vitesse keeper Remko Pasveer into a smart save, while at the other end Jeroen Zoet made a save to deny Oussama Tannane. Vitesse dropped very deep and PSV took the lead on 18 minutes. Vitesse centre back Armando Obispo, on loan from PSV, had a pass intercepted by Bruma who picked out Donyell Malen who did the rest: 1-0. Mark van Bommel’s side were close to doubling their lead in the 26th minute. Ihattaren was in the right place to tap home but Julian Lelieveld produced a last-gasp goal-line clearance. PSV found ways around the Vitesse defence but the best chance fell to Vitesse striker Tim Matavz who mis-hit his effort well wide. Malen gave PSV a two-goal advantage when he rose high above his marker to head home Ihattaren’s inch-perfect cross in the 36th minute. Malen, unstoppable at times, almost completed a hat-trick. HT: 2-0.
Donyell Malen nets three goals in the second half
Malen netted his third goal of the match sixteen seconds after the restart. Ihattaren ran past his man before unleashing a fierce shot, with Malen heading home the rebound to strike a hat-trick. Malen, 20 years, 238 days, is the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the Eredivisie. PSV played some slick passing football and went in search of a fourth goal but Pablo Rosario came to the rescue when he made a goal-line clearance. Bergwijn made way for Cody Gakpo on 62 minutes and Kostas Mitroglou replaced Ihattaren in the 71st minute. Referee Pol van Boekel waved away two decent penalty appeals for handball. Van Bommel made his final change on minutes. Japanese midfielder Ritsu Doan came off the bench to replace Portuguese Bruma. Lelieveld fouled Cody Gakpo in the box in the 82nd minute and Malen stepped up to take the spot kick. The Netherlands international made no mistake. PSV won another penalty after Riechedly Bazoer had handled the ball in the penalty area and Malen sent the keeper the wrong way. FT: 5-0. Donyell Malen, who had marked his Netherlands debut against Germany with a goal, will undoubtedly take the match ball home! PSV will be back in action on Thursday when they host Sporting CG in a Europa League tie.