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PSV enjoyed their third successive 2-0 victory on Saturday night. After Dwight Lodeweges' team had seen off Vitesse and Sparta, they eased past FC Utrecht in a hardly exciting game. Carlos Salcido opened the scoring on the stroke of half time and Timmy Simons scored from the spot after the break.
Third successive victory
PSV grabbed all three points in another must-win game. They are still in contention to qualify for UEFA Cup football next season and put in a solid display against FC Utrecht. They were in control from start to finish and kept yet another clean sheet. The visitors, who missed a number of players through injury, offered little resistance. They had failed to find the net on their last seven outings and could not end their goal drought against PSV, either.
Salcido opened scoring
PSV interim coach Dwight Lodeweges opted for the same starting line-up that beat Sparta 3-1. The FC Utrecht players Vorm, Cziommer, Van der Gun and Keller were ruled out for the trip to Eindhoven. The visitors last scored a goal in mid February, so, as might be expected, PSV put some early pressure on the FC Utrecht defense. Toivonen and Afellay forced saves out of FC Utrecht's deputy goalkeeper De Ruiter who was by far the busier shot stopper. PSV came close to making the breakthrough on several occasions, but somehow the visitors' defence managed to survive. The home fans' patience was finally rewarded on the stroke of half time. Afellay unleashed a shot that was blocked by a defender. The ball fell to Salcido who fired a left footed shot into the roof of the net.
Simons doubled lead from the spot
As the second half continued, PSV still dominated the game and the visitors were made to defend deeply. Ten minutes into the restart, the result was already put beyond doubt. A poor backward pass was intercepted by Toivonen, who tried to round De Ruiter. The FC Utrecht goalkeeper committed a professional foul and was shown a yellow card before captain Simons confidently dispatched the resulting spot kick; 2-0. And then the party was virtually over. PSV realised a two-goal lead would seal a win, while Utrecht struggled in vain to get any meaningful moves together. Lazovic replaced Amrabat but PSV were unable to add to their score and entertain their loyal fans. PSV still vie to qualify for UEFA Cup football next season with their third 2-0 victory in a row. PSV will play host to Ajax on Sunday, April 19; kick off at 16:30. Sc Heerenveen, contenders for the fourth place, will meet FC Volendam on Easter Sunday.
