30 goals behind? No problem: PSV Eindhoven enter the new year as Eredivisie leaders. Ex-Bundesliga professional Mwene was the matchwinner in the 2-0 win against Deventer.
Imagine having a goal difference of 56:4 after 18 matchdays – and only being second: Ajax Amsterdam actually go into the winter break of the Eredivisie as the chaser. PSV Eindhoven countered the defending champions’ 5-0 win over Fortuna Sittard with a 2-0 win over promoted Go Ahead Eagles Deventer on the day before Christmas Eve to defend their lead in the table.
Although the team of coach Roger Schmidt had to lament the next injury-related loss in Ramalho (30.), the home victory against offensively weak guests was never in danger. Former Bundesliga pro Mwene set the tone early on with his well-placed 17-metre shot (9th) – the third goal of the season for the right-back, who is just becoming a “goalscorer”: He scored all three goals in the last three matches.
After VAR emergency stop, Eindhoven make everything clear
PSV controlled the game without much brilliance and for a long time without adding to it: Götze with a volley from an acute angle (33rd) and Vertessen with a rash finish from the best position (45.+3) missed the early preliminary decision, as did Vinicius (55th).
Only after the visitors’ defender Kramer had been shown red for an emergency stop on Vertessen after VAR intervention (68th) – Schmidt had previously complained vehemently to the fourth official – did Eindhoven make everything clear: Mwene followed up a long ball into the penalty area and served Gakpo, who shot in effortlessly for 2:0 (78th).
Six minutes later, substitute Romero hit the top of the crossbar – Ajax are still responsible for the big wins in this league. When the Eredivisie resumes on 14 January, Eindhoven will still be first by one point – with a goal difference that is 30 goals worse.
