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PSV have maintained their five-point lead over Ajax with a 2-0 win over Heracles Almelo at the Philips Stadion on Sunday afternoon. Timmy Simons and Jefferson Farfán made sure of victory with goals either side of the break in a rather poor game. Ibrahim Afellay will miss next week's game against FC Twente after he picked up a yellow card.
With only two games to go, PSV still hold a five-point cushion over closest challengers Ajax, who recorded a 4-1 win over De Graafschap. PSV will play host to FC Twente on Sunday, while Ajax make a trip north to face FC Groningen. In between, PSV meet Fiorentina in the UEFA Cup quarter final second leg on Thursday night.
PSV felt the effect of the physically demanding first leg with the Italians (1-1), as they did not produce a convincing performance and lacked composure. After the break, PSV failed to start well-worked moves and they owe Farfán, who took his season's tally to six goals, for wrapping up the points in the 80th minute.
PSV head coach Sef Vergoossen handed starts to Gomes, Dzsudzsák and Bakkal. Heracles Almelo had a first chance, but Van den Bergh sent his effort wide. Minutes later, PSV survived an early scare, when the visitors from Almelo scored a goal that was ruled out for offside. Heracles played a physical game and Ouedraogo as well as Quansah committed fouls, for which they were booked. PSV gradually took over control and twelve minutes were on the clock when a cross from Dzsudzsák was not properly cleared. The ball fell to captain Timmy Simons, who opened the scoring with a strike from twenty yards; 1-0. PSV came close to doubling their advantage a few times. Koevermans produced goal thread twice and Farfán also had an opportunity. Koevermans headed against the bar on the close of half time.
The second half was a scrappy affair and the crowd were not treated to a sparkling performance at all. PSV failed to meet expectations and Heracles restricted themselves to defending. Lazovic came on for Koevermans and Culina left the bench to replace Dzsudzsák, but the substitutions did not pay off. Up until the 80th minute PSV had earned only one chance from a corner, when they won a free kick. Farfán stepped up and superbly curled it home from twenty yards; 2-0. It was about the only highlight of the second half. Referee Blom did not caution Boakye for a vicious foul on Afellay but showed both players a yellow card after the resulting bust-up. Afellay will now miss next week's match against FC Twente. Väyrynen made his first appearance for PSV this season when he was brought on for Farfán three minutes from time. PSV need two more points from their two remaining games to retain the Eredivisie title.