PSV is leading the Eredivisie until at least 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Coach Phillip Cocu's team made things difficult for themselves against bottom-placed De Graafschap, but did win: 4-2. With the win, PSV now has two more points than Ajax, which can regain the lead Sunday in Kerkrade.
Rain of chances
After an opening phase with a lot of ball possession in De Graafschap's half, PSV remarkably opened the scoring in the 17th minute from a counter. About ten meters before the own sixteen Pröpper set up an attack, which via Hendrix again Pröpper and Narsingh eventually found the goal via the foot of De Jong: 1-0. That goal was the prelude to a half in which PSV distanced themselves from De Graafschap with some difficulty. After a handful of missed chances, it wasn't until the 31st minute that they scored again. This time Pröpper himself was the celebrated man. The midfielder, who was important for the opening goal earlier, signed for the 2-0 with a dry blast. Narsingh made it 3-0 shortly before halftime. The outfielder threatened to go outside, but decided to post and found the far corner. In the meantime, Locadia should have already given PSV a bigger lead, but he missed from the penalty spot.
Luuk de Jong and Davy Pröpper provided the first two goals at the Philips Stadium | © Pics United
PSV on time
That it was 'only' 3-0 at the halftime whistle was partly due to De Graafschap goalkeeper Jurjus. He saved the visitors from a bigger deficit with several good saves, including the penalty. Jurjus also saved De Graafschap several times after the break. He turned away shots by Hendrix and Pereiro. PSV then slackened pace and that almost cost Cocu's team dearly. Ten minutes before time the score was suddenly 3-2. First it was Van de Pavert who put De Graafschap on the board and a little later Straalman even provided the tying goal with a distance shot. In the person of Pereiro, PSV was awake just in time to avoid losing points. The striker stayed cool in the 85th minute, passing goalkeeper Jurjus after some feints and sliding the 4-2 into the empty goal. The biggest blemish on the win was the loss of Guardado, who left the field early with an injury.
;Luciano Narsingh scored for the fourth consecutive game | © Pics United