PSV won narrowly against FC Utrecht on Sunday afternoon. The team did not have it easy at the Philips Stadium, but was able to prevail thanks to two magnificent goals. With that, PSV remains second in the Eredivisie.
Basic eleven
Head coach Roger Schmidt opted Sunday for the same team that impressed in the first half against sc Heerenveen last week. PSV was convincing in Friesland from a footballing point of view, but went to rest with only a small lead. Against FC Utrecht, the game was less impressive, but the lead was bigger: 2-0.
Two world goals
The first goal came off the foot - or rather, the heel - of Donyell Malen. The PSV striker promoted a cross from Mario Götze to goal. That wasn't even the highlight of the first half. That came in the name of Mo Ihattaren. The midfielder, who has struggled so much with his fitness in recent months, made it 2-0 in truly magnificent fashion by outmaneuvering an opponent on the edge of the box and chasing the ball into the crossbar.
Fall back
That goal visibly led to emotion for Ihattaren. The still only 18-year-old football player sought out his trainer Schmidt in his victory lap and stepped off the field with a smile from ear to ear when it was halftime. After 68 minutes, the goal-scorer's game was definitely over. His replacement, debutant Yorbe Vertessen, saw PSV fall back a bit after halftime. Until the Belgian's entrance, Yvon Mvogo had to save PSV from a setback several times.
PSV stays upright
After 71 minutes he capitulated after all. With the 2-1, substitute Mahi brought the tension back and that tension kept rising, also because PSV did not manage to take advantage of the pressure that FC Utrecht developed after the tying goal. In injury time the visitors went close, but a block by Pablo Rosario prevented the equalizer.