PSV have gone top of the Eredivisie for at least 24 hours with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Vitesse at the Philips Stadion on Friday night, courtesy of goals from Matavz, Mertens and Manolev. Substitute Havenaar reduced the deficit for the visitors.
Sting in the tail PSV earned all three points, but the sting was in the tail. Substitute Havenaar gave Vitesse something to chase for when he reduced the deficit to 2-1 with six minutes remaining, but Stanislav Manolev wrapped up the points with an injury time strike: 3-1. PSV have gone top of the table, two points clear of AZ. Their nearest competitors will not be in action until Saturday night.
Matavz netted 8th goal of the season Fred Rutten fielded the same team that were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Utrecht. Reis and Van Aanholt, on loan from Chelsea, started on the bench for Vitesse. Vitesse got the first chance of the game but were denied by Marcelo’s late goal-line clearance. PSV dictated the game but the final ball was often found lacking and a well-organised Vitesse side defended well. The hosts took the lead in the 31st minute. Labyad came inside and fired on target. Velthuizen could only parry the swerving ball and Matavz was at the right place at the right time to tap home the rebound for his eighth goal of the season. PSV continued to control proceedings throughout the first half but no more goals were scored.
Tim Matavz vies for the ball with Vitesse captain Guram Kashia.
Mertens and Manolev
Vitesse were close to scoring an equaliser after the break when Büttner hit the post, while at the other end Strootman sent a right-footed shot just over the bar. Timothy Derijck was forced off with an injury and the Belgian defender was replaced by Wilfred Bouma. Another substitution, Jonathan Reis on for Pedersen in the 65th minute, drew whistles, booing and catcalls from the crowd. PSV extended their lead fourteen minutes from time. Manolev hacked the ball away and found Matavz who played in Mertens. The agile and pacy Belgian international sped past two defenders before unleashing a thunderous shot into the top corner leaving the keeper with no chance, taking his tally to fourteen goals for the season: 2-0. Havenaar came on for Vitesse captain Kashia with nine minutes remaining and the substitute handed his side a lifeline when, left completely unmarked, he headed home from close range with his first touch of the game: 2-1. Manolev wrapped up the points for PSV with an injury-time goal after a one-two with Matavz: 3-1.
Matavz and Toivonen celebrate.
Tim Matavz vies for the ball with Vitesse captain Guram Kashia.
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