The report

The fourth round of play was scheduled this weekend. The KNVB must have predictive powers. In this round the numbers 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6 and 7 and 8 played each other. PSV played as frontrunner at De Herdgang against the number 2: FC Utrecht. The home team lost its first points last weekend at Feyenoord after a 1-1 draw. Utrecht also lost its first points last weekend, and those were three straight after the 1-2 defeat against AZ. So the rankings, with the exception of FC Volendam, crept a little closer together. And that is exactly what we all want: to play top games at the cutting edge every week. And so the important thing today is to keep the three points in Eindhoven.

The first threat came from the guests when they headed just wide in the third minute. PSV also countered with a chance a minute later when the Utrecht goalie narrowly tapped a Ruben van Bommel effort wide. In the 8th minute, Utrecht took the lead. After losing the ball in the center circle, it broke quickly and the PSV defense was not attentive when defending. PSV had to chase for the first time this season. And almost had success two minutes later. But again the goalkeeper turned away a Ruben effort. PSV created some opportunities in the first half, but were not really lucky in the final stages. For example, Iggy Houben failed to score when his shot went just over the goal via the back of a Utrecht defender. Later, after a good pass from Matteo Dams, he shot straight at the goalkeeper from a good position. As the attack continued Matteo got the chance to shoot from just outside the sixteen meters. His shot unfortunately went over. Utrecht kept the ranks otherwise well closed and gambled on speed up front. And that almost gave them the 0-2 in the 27th minute when a ball got behind the Eindhoven back line and the fast striker rounded the outflowing goalkeeper Niek Schils. Fortunately, the sprinting back Yaël Gil y Muinos was alert and just managed to tap the ball away at the feet of the Utrecht striker. Because Iggy was unable to get the ball free in front of his left just before halftime and was thus able to shoot, both teams went to rest with a 0-1 score.

Soon after halftime Ruben had a great chance to equalize, but his shot lacked the power to beat the goalkeeper. On the counterattack, PSV faltered when Utrecht's right-winger drove the ball just over. Not much later Utrecht was dangerous again, but Niek made a fine save. The game went back and forth and after Ruben was (wrongly?) flagged for offside, Iggy shot just wide. Fifteen minutes into the second half, Utrecht made it 0-2 and the game seemed to be over. PSV straightened their backs once more and after Milan Govaers shot just wide, the home team scored in the 56th minute. Jaivy Lourens went through on the left and crossed hard. Shi-jon Martina thought he could score but the goalkeeper just saved. The attack continued and eventually it was Iggy who scored the tying goal. PSV smelled blood and not much later Jaivy almost reached Chahid el Allachi with his cross. A great, compelling final phase ensued. Especially when, in the 62nd minute, PSV came alongside when Iggy found the head of rising leftback Julian Kuijpers with a cross at the far post. Julian headed fine into the far corner, where Chahid finally gave the final push: 2-2! Just before time, PSV still thought they could get the full win when Milan took a fine corner that landed at the feet of Livano Comenencia, who lashed out from close range. With a miraculous reflex, the goalkeeper cleared the ball from the goal line and prevented the 3-2. After Yaël headed the ball just over in the final minute, the good referee thought it was enough and whistled for the end.

So a 2-2 draw and then you can philosophize wonderfully afterwards. Did PSV win a point or lose two? The fact remains that the team deserves a big compliment for fighting back in the match. So let's keep it at a point win. On Tuesday, Edwin de Wijs and Anthony Lurling's team plays Feyenoord in the intermediate round of the cup, followed by Saturday's home game against Ajax.

Setup: Niek Schiks; Livano Comenencia, Luc Netten (c), Yaël Gil y Muinos, Koen Jansen (43'Julian Kuijpers); Lars Putters (36' Milan Govaers), Matteo Dams , Chahid el Allachi (63' Seb Loeffen); Iggy Houben, Shi-jon Martina, Ruben van Bommel (47' Jaivy Lourens).