PSV recorded their first ever Eredivisie victory on a visit to FC Emmen. The team struggled with the home team for a long time, but owed it to substitute Mauro Junior to return home with a victory. The Brazilian scored and gave an assist.
PSV dominant
Despite the absence of Head Coach Roger Schmidt and a small army of injured strikers, PSV started strongly against FC Emmen. At home, the straggler was pinned down on its own half for large parts of the first half and the game was up to the team, which was led by a busy coaching Lars Kornetka.
Emmen hits post
Schmidt's German assistant saw PSV reach shots by Eran Zahavi, Donyell Malen and Olivier Boscagli in the first half hour . At the same time, a sharp cross only just passed Malen's feet and a header by Zahavi was cleared off the line by Emmen captain De Leeuw. Despite all those chances, PSV failed to score. The closest to scoring was Emmen acquisition Vlak. The player, who came over from FC Volendam this winter, hit the post just before halftime.
Plodding
That chance was preceded by a short period of slogging, and after halftime the team also struggled to get into the game. PSV looked threatening now and then, but was too inaccurate in its finishing and passing to trouble goalkeeper Telgenkamp. FC Emmen in turn kept the defense compact and lurked for a counter. That yielded a big chance through former Psv U21 player Laursen, after Malen also had a good opportunity earlier on.
Mauro helps PSV overcome deadlock
Both missed with the result that the game looked more and more like a draw. Until, ten minutes before time, substitute Mauro Junior helped PSV over the deadlock. First a cross from the Brazilian ended up behind Telgenkamp and two minutes before time he enabled Zahavi to head PSV into safe harbor. So PSV travels to Rotterdam on Sunday with a win in their pocket for the topper with Feyenoord.
