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PSV had a wonderful Sunday afternoon in Alkmaar. The Eindhoven outfit enjoyed a thoroughly deserved 1-2 win over AZ thanks to first half goals by Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Arouna Koné. They have now taken an eleven-point cushion over AZ. PSV had a dream start in the Alkmaarderhout. Only three minutes were on the clock when the Eindhoven outfit took the lead, courtesy to Vennegoor of Hesselink who headed home from a Culina corner. The tall striker had cleverly run away from his marker Mathijssen and AZ keeper Henk Timmer, who has been called up for the Dutch squad, was beaten by his glancing header. One minute later Timmer was a busy man again and he did well to push away a Farfán effort for a corner. As AZ frequently lost possession in midfield, Farfan was often found. Koné was meanwhile played as striker up front and when Farfán superbly set him up, the Ivory Coast striker latched unto the ball and was put clear. Koné rounded Timmer, before prodding home a left foot shot. PSV did not take their feet off the pedal and earned plenty of opportunities to comfortably extend the lead. Koné was completely left unmarked when Cocu delivered a perfect cross, but the striker headed the ball over the goal. AZ earned their first chance on fifteen minutes. De Zeeuw, who filled in as right back, was put in a shooting position and Gomes had to stretch to full length to push his effort away for a corner. Soon afterwards Arveladze sustained an injury and was forced to leave the pitch. Koevermans left the bench to replace him. PSV piled up the pressure and they created several good opportunities. Farfán had a shot go agonizingly wide off the post on 23 minutes and when Lamey had intercepted a poor pass, PSV failed to take advantage of a 3-2 situation, as Farfán wildly blasted the ball over the goal. Five minutes later injury woe struck again for PSV. When Addo cleared the ball, he picked up a knock on his knee, after Jaliens had hit him hard. Hiddink brought on Afellay. Jaliens was shown a yellow card five minutes from half time for a foul on Vennegoor and Perez struck a free kick that missed the goal by some inches. The first fifteen minutes after the break were rather uneventful. PSV opted for a low pace and AZ were unable to get close to Gomes. Meerdink had been brought on for Sektioui at half time. On the hour mark Schaars was suddenly given lots of space and when in a one-for-one situation with the Brazilian PSV goalkeeper, he gave the home fans new hope. With thirty minutes' official time remaining AZ moved men forward . Chances for the hosts were far and few, though, and thevisitors, coached by Guus Hiddink, actually earned the best opportunities.Koné fired a cleared ball in a one-time effort on target and Farfán had the rebound go miraculously wide across the goal. Not much later Farfán earned a free kick just outside the area, but he had his effort blocked by a wall of defenders. Van Gaal brought on Huysegems as an extra forward and Beasley took over from Vennegoor who was slightly dizzy. PSV comfortably held on in the closing stages and they deservedly grabbed all three points on their travel to Alkmaar. PSV have extended their lead over AZ to as many as eleven points. PSV are on the right track and AZ are no longer in contention for the Dutch title.
