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PSV returned to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 win over a poor Vitesse side at the Philips Stadium on Saturday night. Afellay and Toivonen scored a goal either side of the break in a hardly entertaining game. PSV were fully in control and entirely dominated proceedings, whereas Vitesse had little to offer.
PSV reduce gap with Heerenveen
PSV kept all three points at the Philips Stadium, reducing the gap with rivals Heerenveen, who had suffered a 2-0 defeat at De Graafschap on Friday night. PSV are lying fifth, trailing fourth-placed Heerenveen by five points. PSV enjoyed the bulk of possession (60%) while Vitesse had only two shots on goal. PSV last savoured the sweet taste of victory on 21 February with a win at FC Groningen. With the Eredivisie taking a break, PSV will be next in action on Saturday, April 4, when they travel to Rotterdam to face Sparta.
Afellay scored opening goal
With Amrabat, who returned from suspension, and Bakkal, who replaced the injured Méndez, PSV got off to a somewhat hesitant start. Vitesse had little to offer as the game started going in slow motion. Fifteen minutes were on the clock when PSV had the first chance. Salcido burst down the left flank and delivered a cross to the far post from the by-line. Dzsudzsák controlled the ball but fired into the sidenetting. The Hungarian came again close to scoring a few minutes from a free kick, but it was Afellay who broke the in the 24th minute, taking his season's tally to twelve. Bakkal delivered a sharp cross and Afellay headed on target. Vitesse keeper Velthuizen fumbled the ball before it crossed the line. Dzsudzsák curled an effort into the sidenetting for the second time but other that the two teams failed to entertain the crowd. Vitesse did not create any meaningful chances as PSV went in search of a second goal to wrap up the points. The visitors finally produced some goal threat when Nilsson ended a mazy run past a number of defenders with a bicycle kick that went just wide.
Toivonen netted second-half goal
Toivonen almost doubled PSV's lead straight after the restart when he hit the post. Lazovic replaced Amrabat after 59 minutes and Pieters came on as a substitute for Salcido, who had sustained an injury in the 65th minute. The second half continued in the same vein. Neither team put in a sparkling display, and although the visitors were a goal down, they did not send men forward. Lazovic sent a weak effort at Velthuizen, who was left without a chance when Toivonen virtually put the result beyond doubt for PSV, with twenty minutes remaining. Marcellis set up the Swedish striker who superbly struck a vicious shot that went into the top corner. PSV coach Lodeweges made his final substitution one minute later. Midfielder Bakkal was taken off and defender Kromkamp came off the bench to replace him as PSV effortlessly were in control of the game and recorded a deserved victory.
