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PSV and sc Heerenveen showed commitment and passion as they fought out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Philips Stadium on Saturday night. Both teams produced plenty of movement box to box in an exciting game of football with a great deal of goalmouth action and endeavour. Otman Bakkal opened the scoring after 43 seconds, while Bradley leveled seven minutes after the break.
PSV have dropped two points, but are still on top of the table. Closest rivals Ajax take on Roda JC in Kerkrade on Sunday afternoon. The game at the Philips Stadium could have gone either way. Heerenveen dominated proceedings after the break, but PSV surged forward in the closing stages in a bid to snatch a late win. Referee Luinge played a major role, taking some controversial decisions and waving play on when he should have intervened.
PSV did not make any changes to the team that claimed a 2-0 victory against AZ last weekend. The hosts got off to the best possible start, with the assistant coaches Dwight Lodeweges and Jan Wouters deputizing for interim coach Sef Vergoossen, who was ill. Only 43 seconds were on the clock when Bakkal climbed above his marker to head powerfully home from a Dzsudzsák free kick. Heerenveen responded immediately and created two chances, but keeper Gomes pulled off fine saves. Both sides were attack minded and started many well-worked moves in a spectacularly fast-paced, high-tempo game. To the dismay of the home crowd, who created a terrific atmosphere, PSV had a reasonable penalty appeal turned down by referee Luinge when a Heerenveen defender appeared to push Danko Lazovic. At the other end Pranjic brought the best out of Gomes who produced a great save to keep his team in the game and the PSV custodian also denied Sibon.
The crowd again showed its clear discontent with the referee for another controversial decision. Luinge showed Bakkal a yellow card, when Zuiverloon got injured when the Heerenveen defender kicked the ball away. PSV got a wonderful opportunity to double their lead, when Afellay was put clear after 25 minutes. The Holland international midfielder set up Dzsudzsák, who failed to connect with the cross. Minutes later Afellay fired on target, but Vandenbussche stretched at full length to push away his effort for a corner, but Gomes was also kept busy.
The visitors restored parity seven minutes into the second half. Sibon fed Bradley who comfortably tapped home from close range: 1-1. Bakkal was taken off and Méndez left the bench to replace him. Farfán got two chances and the Peruvian struck a trademark free kick that did not beat Vandenbussche, but only hit strike partner Lazovic. PSV's leading goal scorer was brought on in the closing stages, when both defences bravely held on. PSV will be next in action next Wednesday when they play host to Helsingborgs IF in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 first leg.
