Enervating it certainly was, but the first traditional topper in this Eredivisie season did not produce a winner. Head coach Roger Schmidt's PSV shot out of the starting blocks, but saw Ajax come alongside: 2-2.
Zahavi shoots with focus
PSV had a great start to the match in Amsterdam. After only two minutes, Schmidt's team took the lead. Eran Zahavi was the terminus of a fine PSV attack and put the 0-1 (and PSV's 5,000th goal in the Eredivisie) on the board on a pass from Donyell Malen. PSV could not call on Mario Götze in Amsterdam, but that did not seem to bother the team. After more than twenty minutes it was already 0-2.
Counter goal before halftime
Once again the Israeli striker was the end of a beautiful attack and once again Malen was the finisher. Setback for PSV was the 1-2 that Promes helped the home side back into the game. The Ajax attacker passed Yvon Mvogo after a pass from Dusan Tadic, who shot at the post a little earlier. Shortly before halftime, Zahavi almost lifted the lead back to two, but a cross from Ihattaren went just past his heel.
Ajax fights back
In the second half, Ajax pressed logically. Hunting for the equalizer, the home side brought on the newly recruited Haller, who soon seemed to sign for the 2-2. The Frenchman slid the ball past Mvogo after a quick counterattack, but immediately seemed to realize he was offside. As it turned out, he was. Referee Kuipers canceled the goal, but noted the 2-2 in his referee's book in the 65th minute after all. Antony tapped in the equalizer from about 11 yards out.
Status quo
The goal was not undeserved. PSV came out of the break less often and less dangerous. The biggest chances for the 3-2 were for Ajax, although Zahavi went close again on behalf of PSV. In the closing stages, Schmidt's team banged on the door, but it was no more than pressure. As a result, the difference between the two teams on the league table remains just one point.
