PSV Eindhoven had to bury their dream of a perfect Eredivisie season early on Saturday evening: At NEC Nijmegen, the favorites gave the game away just before and just after the break
In the 27th league game of the season, PSV Eindhoven’s streak was broken after all. At the start of the Eredivisie matchday on Holy Saturday, coach Peter Bosz’s team suffered an avoidable 3-1 defeat at NEC Nijmegen, who even temporarily overtook Ajax Amsterdam in the table with their eighth home win and are now fifth.
The favorites had started the game well and had already taken the lead in the 20th minute: After a fine pass from Schouten, Lozano failed to beat former Barcelona keeper Cillessen – but Bakayoko was lurking in the five-meter area and shot from a turn into the bottom left-hand corner.
However, the home side did not succumb to their fate and continued to push forward. The first reward came shortly before the break: Veerman was at fault for a penalty, which former Ajax director Schöne slotted into the top right-hand corner (43′).
Benitez blunders – De Jong misses a penalty
Bosz wanted to create some momentum at the break and brought on Bayern loanee Tillman for Lozano. However, Nijmegen provided the impetus – with the kind help of the visitors’ keeper: Benitez placed the harmless long-range shot at the feet of Sano, who finished with a left-footed finish into the near corner (49′).
Before the hour mark, Mauro Junior and Pepi were supposed to inject some fresh impetus into the game, but it was the other side who struck again. Pereira broke through to the baseline on the right, from where he crossed to the first post – Benitez dived and Sow finished high under the crossbar to make it 3:1 (63′).
PSV now needed a great comeback to avert their first ever league defeat. However, Eindhoven missed chances – in particular de Jong, who failed to beat keeper Cillessen with a penalty in the 81st minute. It was to remain 1:3
Chasing rivals Feyenoord could move to within seven points of PSV with a home win against Utrecht on Sunday (2.30pm), who will be looking to get back on track on Tuesday (8pm) at Excelsior Rotterdam.
