PSV come back from a goal down to beat Heracles 1-3 in Almelo

PSV Eindhoven came back from a goal down to beat Heracles Almelo on Sunday. PSV turned the game around with goals with an own goal, a goal from Johan Bakayoko, and a late third goal by Couhaib Driouech after an early penalty scored by Brian de Keersmaecker had given Heracles the lead.

It was far from easy for PSV, though, whose defensive frailties were exposed by poor defending, especially from the full-back positions.

Jordan Teze started the match on the bench after news came that he had completed his transfer to AS Monaco in France, which was subject to a medical. In the first half, PSV was coming off a 5-1 victory against RKC Waalwijk. Heracles had drawn their first game 0-0 against Sparta Rotterdam.

Heracles took a surprising lead after just four minutes. Fredrik Oppergard conceded his second penalty in three games, taking down Bryan Limbombe. He had also conceded a penalty in the Johan Cruijff Schaal loss to Feyenoord two weeks ago. Brian de Keersmaecker took the penalty, and he calmly hit it into the net.

One of the best goals in Eredivisie history was almost scored in the 24th minute. Joey Veerman’s shot from inside his own half gave Heracles keeper Fabian de Keijzer no chance, but to Heracles’s relief, it came back off the post.

The home side should have made it 2-0 right before halftime. Limbombe fought his way past the PSV defense and found himself one-on-one with PSV keeper Walter Benitez. The Argentinian saved his effort.

PSV was very fortunate with their equalizer in the 52nd minute. A long ball was controlled by substitute Guus Til and then knocked into the goal by Heracles defender Ivan Mesik.

Peter Bosz’s side nearly made it 2-1 four minutes later. Noa Lang went wide of his defender before his left-footed effort came back off the post.

The level scores did not last long, however, as PSV took the lead four minutes later. Again, luck was on the reigning champions' side, as Johan Bakayoko’s shot was deflected into the net off Mesik.

Teze was forced into action due to an injury to right-back Richard Ledezma. He is scheduled to travel to Monaco for his medical after the game.

PSV put the game to bed in the 90th minute. Again, a PSV winger was one-on-one with a full back, a situation that happened too many times from a Heracles perspective. It was Couhaib Driouech who made it count this time, putting the ball onto his left foot and smashing it into the goal via the underside of the crossbar. It was his first goal in a PSV shirt.

The season thus far has gone just like the last, as PSV is top of the league after two matches, with a goal difference of six. They face Almere City away next weekend. Heracles will host Willem II.