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PSV enjoyed a hard-fought 1-0 win over rivals Ajax in the Amsterdam ArenA on Sunday afternoon. A goal scored by Timmy Simons on 63 minutes sealed victory, which helped them leapfrog Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie table in Holland. PSV were down to ten men for the final twenty minutes. Timmy Simons scored another crucial, winning goal, just like he did during the Champions League clash with Galatasaray. PSV had to survive twenty minutes of pressure in the closing stages, after Edison Mendez was forced to make an early exit, following a second yellow card. PSV managed to hold on and bagged all three points, so they now lead the standings with 31 points, twelve games into the season.Ajax created most danger in the first period in the sold-out, roof-covered Amsterdam ArenA. The hosts earned some opportunities from set pieces, but PSV’s compact defence was as good as ever, as Perez and Gabri produced shots on target. Ajax took lots of initiatives, but did not take any undue risks, either. PSV came out on the counter attack, hoping to take advantage from the pace of their two strikers Koné/Farfán. Most of the action took place in a crowded midfield where the players battled for every inch of ground and produced a host of tough tackles. Afellay was shown yellow and Mendez and Simons soon had their names added to the referee’s notebook. Ronald Koeman’s team created two decent chances, but kept many players behind the ball. After the break PSV moved more players forward than in the first period and Jan Kromkamp headed over the bar, following a free kick. The deadlock was broken soon after Väyrynen had been brought on for Afellay. Mendez struck a fine free kick and Timmy Simons superbly connected and sent a spectacular backwards header into the roof of the net at the far post. Soon afterwards Mendez was in a shooting position, but the player from Ecuador became the centre of attention when referee Wegereef dismissed him for a second bookable offence, after he had kicked the ball away near the touchline. So PSV were reduced to ten men and with twenty minutes to go the alarm was sounded. Koeman took off Farfán and Jason Culina came on the strengthen PSV’s midfield. Ajax had no other option but surge forward and play long balls into the penalty area, but were unable to create really great chances. Sneijder had two efforts after 80 minutes. PSV, though, showed passion and commitment and held on. Four minutes from time Koné could have wrapped up the game. Cocu delivered a clever through ball, but the Ivory Coast striker’s powerful shot only hit the post. PSV played for time and Ajax desperately hoped to snatch one point. But PSV proved to be efficient once again and are the new Eredivisie leader in Holland.
