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PSV reclaimed first place in the Eredivisie as they enjoyed a 2-0 victory against NAC Breda at the Philips Stadium on Sunday afternoon to take advantage of Ajax's surprise 2-2 draw at VVV-Venlo and Feyenoord's 1-1 draw at sc Heerenveen. PSV and Feyenoord are joint leaders, with 36 points from seventeen matches, but the Eindhoven outfit have the better goal difference.
PSV ended the year on a high note, after they had produced a lacklustre performance against NAC Breda. Koevermans had given them the lead, but as PSV failed to double their advantage, there was always a danger NAC Breda might pull level. PSV dug their claws in and managed to cling on. Huge sighs of relief could be heard all round the Philips Stadium, when Perez eventually scored a goal in the last minute of second half stoppage time and the fans started to celebrate when they heard the nearest rivals had dropped precious points. The players will now enjoy a one week holiday before they report for training at De Herdgang again on 7 January, when new coaches Sef Vergoossen and Dwight Lodeweges take charge of the defending champions.
PSV coach Jan Wouters made two changes to the side that lost at FC Groningen. Koevermans was handed a start at the expense of Farfán and Rajkovic deputised for Zonneveld at left back. PSV started most moves and tried to find an opening in NAC's compact defence, whereas the visitors committed many fouls, hoping to embarrass the home side on the counter attack. The game got off to a slow start, although Lazovic headed on target from a corner and Koevermans created a chance. Koevermans sent his header just wide of the goal, while the home crowd was becoming more impatient as PSV failed to find a decisive pass after promising approach play. It took only a piece of individual brilliance from Perez to break the deadlock. The Danish midfielder delivered a superb through ball that put Koevermans clean through. PSV's leading scorer finished clinically, taking his season's tally to eleven.
After the break the game continued in the same vein. PSV found opportunities hard to come by against a determined NAC defence and the visitors from Breda created some slender chances. The crowd made it clear they were dissatisfied with their favourite team's dismal display. Bakkal was brought on for Koevermans, Marcellis left the bench to replace Rajkovic, while Jonathan came on to take over from Lazovic. NAC threw men forward in the nerve-racking closing stages in a bid to snatch a point and their goalkeeper Ten Rouwelaar even joined the attack. Deep into injury time, PSV finally put the result beyond doubt. Gomes picked out Perez with a trademark throw out. The Dane crossed midfield in full stride before slotting the ball into the empty net; 2-0. All's well that ends well.
