This newsitem has been supplied by PSV.nl
Lazovic, Kromkamp and Culina struck goals as PSV maintained their three-point lead over Ajax at the top of the Dutch Eredivisie. The Serbian striker opened the scoring after 25 minutes; defender Kromkamp doubled the home side's advantage and Jason Culina blasted home a third goal as PSV beat Sparta Rotterdam 3-1 at the Philips Stadium on Wednesday night in a game that did not meet the crowd's expectations.
PSV and Sparta did not put in a convincing performance, so the fans were not treated to a sparkling display. PSV enjoyed most possession of the ball and won eleven corners, but lacked cutting edge, although Jason Culina scored a screamer in the dying minute and Jan Kromkamp netted a fine goal after the break as well. PSV, who face a hectic fixture-list, are still on top of the standings and will be next in action on Saturday when they play host to bottom-of-the-table Excelsior.
Sef Vergoossen, who was in charge at an official match for PSV at the Philips Stadium for the first time, kept faith with the same starting line-up for the third successive time. So the Hungarian midfielder Balázs Dzsudzsák made his first start in PSV colours in Eindhoven and the club's top scorer Danny Koevermans had to settle for a place on the bench again.
The first half was slow to get going with PSV's first chance coming twelve minutes into the game. Dzsudzsák delivered a perfect cross from the left flank, but Lazovic headed off target, while Alcides lobbed his shot from close range over the bar five minutes later. At the other end, Eduard Duplan threatened up front, but PSV were clearly the dominant side and deservedly took the lead through Lazovic after 25 minutes. Dzsudzsák put in yet another superb cross from the left wing and this time the Serbian striker was on hand to tap home the opener, taking his season's tally to seven goals. Five minutes from half time Otman Bakkal had a great opportunity to double PSV's lead, but was denied by a fingertip save from Westerveld.
Ten minutes after the restart Alcides squared the ball to right back Kromkamp, whose sweetly struck shot finished into the back of the net. Vergoossen made a number of substitutions: Koevermans was brought on to replace Lazovic after 65 minutes; Zonneveld left the bench to take over from Dzsudzsák after 76 minutes, while Culina came on for Bakkal eight minutes from time. With the match petering out, Daryl Robert gave the visitors some hope, scoring a consolation in the last minute of official time, but PSV responded in the same minute, when a slick move ended with substitute Jason Culina superbly rifling home; 3-1.
Arbiter
Spectators
Yellow card(s)
Score
