Bakkal has kept PSV’s title chances alive after scoring the only goal against FC Utrecht. Fred Rutten’s side edged the eighth-seeded side at the Philips stadium to grab three precious points which send Eindhoven one point adrift of the former Dutch champions FC Twente and six above Ajax Amsterdam. Bakkal brought PSV victory in the 54th minute following a superb cross from the right and a header from six yards that beat keeper Vorm.
Foto Source: ad.nl
Despite creating several clear chances, FC Utrecht looked unable to convert any of them. Ton du Chatinier’s side received three yellow cards instead, through defender Vorstermans and midfielders Duplan and Silberbauer. The coach would try different midfield solutions, introducing de Kogel and Oar for Lensky and Mertens, but Utrecht kept struggling for the equalizer. On the other side, PSV have also made a couple of changes, introducing Rodriguez and Koevermans for striker Berg and defender Bouma respectively, Rutten’s side managing instead to keep the sheet clean until the last minute.
It went 1-0 as PSV remain first in the Eredivisie with 61 points won in 28 games, the win against Utrecht being their 18th of the season. As for Utrecht, they lie eighth with 41 points, 11 wins and nine losses. They will next play ADO Den Haag, while PSV visit FC Twente next Saturday for the big derby that could change the standing situation.
Den Haag follow a very good period. John van den Brom beat Ajax Amsterdam 3-2 at the Kyocera stadium. Kubik opened the score in the 31st minute, while Den Haag entered the locker-rooms with a small lead. The second half found both sides scoring twice with Ajax’s Vertonghen leveling the score in the 70th minute. But Immers made it 2-1 just six minutes later to bring the victory much closer to the home side. The game also included a dramatic late rally that brought two more goals, one for each side. With five minutes left, Eriksen managed to score Ajax’s second goal in what could have been a precious point for Frank de Boer side.
But the unexpected was yet to come. Derijck brought Den Haag’s late victory in the 87th minute following a corner from the right which found the center defender shooting past keeper Verhoeven from five yards or so. Den Haag climb fifth, sitting just one point behind AZ Alkmaar, while Ajax stay third with 55 points in 28 games. De Boer’s side will play Heracles Almelo next Sunday, while Den Haag visit FC Utrecht the same day.
ADO Den Haag – Coutinho; Leeuwin, Derijck, Bosschaart, Kum; Verhoek, Immers, Toornstra, Kubik; Bulykin. Reserves: D. Buijs, M. Pique, K. Visser, C. Vicento, A. Rankovic, R. Gielisse, R. Zwinkels.
Ajax Amsterdam – Verhoeven; van der Wiel, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Anita; de Jong, Eriksen, Enoh; Ozbiliz, Sulejmani; Cvintanich. Reserves: J. Lukoki, G. Castillion, D. Blind, R. Graafland, A. Ooijer, R. Lindgren, D. de Zeeuw.
Eredivisie results:
NEC 1 – 0 De Graafschap
AZ Alkmaar 3 – 1 Vitesse
NAC Breda 0 – 1 FC Groningen
Roda JC 3 – 0 Feyenoord
Excelsior 0 – 2 FC Twente
VVV-Venlo 0 – 0 Willem II
Heracles 4 – 2 sc Heerenveen
Next fixtures:
FC Twente – PSV
Willem II – Roda JC
De Graafschap – NAC Breda
Feyenoor – AZ Alkmaar
Sc Heerenveen – Excelsior
Vitesse – NEC
FC Utrecht – ADO Den Haag
FC Groningen – VVV-Venlo
Ajax – Heracles Almelo
