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The title race in Holland is still on. PSV failed to grab the victory they needed on the penultimate matchday in order to clinch the title, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at the Philips Stadium on Sunday afternoon. FC Groningen's clash with Ajax was postponed after a fire broke out in their stadium as supporters allegedly had set fire to a large amount of toilet paper. Blaise N'Kufo scored the opening goal for the visitors after 35 minutes, and Jefferson Farfán scored the equaliser in the 68th minute.
PSV handed starting places to Jason Culina and Edison Méndez in midfield, as they got the game underway, hopeful of clinching their fourth straight league title. Otman Bakkal started on the bench. Ten minutes were on the clock, when PSV came close to scoring the opening goal. Dirk Marcellis fired a one-time shot when the ball fell to him from a corner, but FC Twente keeper Sander Boschker pulled off a fine save. PSV won another corner and the ball again fell to Marcellis, who hit the post this time. FC Twente had their first meaningful chance after fifteen minutes, but Gomes was alert enough to stop Denneboom's effort. Jefferson Farfán hit the bar from a well-struck free kick, but the passionate home crowd was reduced to a stunning silence when N'Kufo opened the scoring after 35 minutes. A free kick was poorly cleared and the FC Twente leading scorer simply tapped home from very close range; 0-1. PSV were suddenly one goal down in an evenly contested match. They started some more moves ahead of the break, but could not make amends in the first half.
Meanwhile it was announced that FC Groningen-Ajax had been postponed due to a fire in the stadium. PSV could only depend on themselves, but found it hard to get going. FC Twente got a great opportunity to double their advantage, but captain Timmy Simons was on hand to make a great block tackle to prevent N'Kufo getting in a shot. Half an hour from time, Danko Lazovic came on for Edison Méndez Philips and the home crowd generated the noise from the stands at the Philips Stadium to spur their favourite team on. PSV went in search of a goal, but were wary of the threat that FC Twente might produce.
They had a great chance to restore parity when Farfán delivered a sharp cross from the right flank, but no forward could connect with the ball. Farfán started a solo run after 68 minutes and his shot took a slight deflection and wrong-footed the FC Twente stopper. The stadium erupted and the match sparked into life as PSV fully believed in their chances.
Ten minutes from time Otman Bakkal left the bench to replace Alcides as PSV moved men forward in a bid to score a late goal. They were held at bay, though, by a well-organised defence and had no luck when Farfán sent a free kick on the wrong side of the post. If Ajax drop points in their game at FC Groningen, most likely rescheduled for Wednesday, PSV will be crowned champions. They need one point to clinch the title and will be next in action on Sunday when they travel to Arnhem to face Vitesse on the last round of matches.
