PSV snatched a late 2-1 victory at N.E.C. in the Goffertstadion in Nijmegen on Sunday night to go top of the table.
Restore order
PSV knew a win over N.E.C. in the Goffertstadion in Nijmegen in round 16 of the Eredivisie campaign would take them to the top of the table. They started strongly and worked hard to score an early opening goal. Carlos Vinícius played in Marco van Ginkel, but the captain’s shot lacked the power to beat goalkeeper Mattijs Branderhorst. Eight minutes were on the clock when N.E.C. won a free kick from twenty yards out. Lasse Schöne stepped up and shot on target. Jol Drommel pushed the ball in the way of Magnus Mattson who fired home: 1-0. PSV were made to chase the game and tried to restore order immediately. Mauro JR tried his luck from long range, while Mario Götze had an effort blocked.
Many crosses
PSV enjoyed the bulk of possession. The wingers sent in many crosses into the box but could not produce much goal threat as the hosts kept men behind the ball and defended stoutly and compactly. Mauro JR steered a free kick to the top corner but Branderhorst stretched to full length to push his shot away for a corner. Cody Gakpo cut into the box but Götze just could not connect with his pass. A goal was coming but PSV were still trailing 1-0 when the half-time whistle went.
Sangaré had his goal ruled out
PSV needed to score at least two goals to come back from behind and started the second period with renewed attacking vigour. The first chance fell to Ibrahim Sangaré. Mario Götze found the Ivory Coast midfielder who had his shot blocked but scored from the rebound. However, VAR ruled out the goal for offside. PSV put up a gear but could not find the back of the net yet.
Comeback
Yorbe Vertessen came on for Marco van Ginkel in the 64th minute and the substitution paid off when the young Belgian headed home Cody Gakpo’s corner with ten minutes remaining: 1-1. PSV went in search of a winner and got their reward in the 90th minute, three minutes after Jordan Teze had made way for striker Maxi Romero. Cody Gakpo delivered a high cross from the left wing. Romero jumped high and showed great acrobatic skills when he perfectly teed up with Carlos Vinícius for a tap-in: 1-2. PSV recorded their twelfth victory of the season, a hard-fought one. Roger Schmidt’s men are now top of the table with 37 points, one point clear of Ajax and Feyenoord. They will be next in action on Wednesday, 15 December, when they host Fortuna Sittard in a KNVB tie.
