PSV’s poor form continues with draw against Utrecht; Ajax extends its lead at the top
PSV Eindhoven’s poor run of form showed no sign of ending on Saturday when they drew 2-2 with FC Utrecht. Peter Bosz’s side has won just one match since coming back from the winter break, and this has resulted in Ajax taking first spot in the Eredivisie. The Amsterdammers extended their lead at the top by beating Heracles 4-0.
Anybody who watched the first ten minutes of the match between PSV and third-place FC Utrecht would never have expected it to finish in a draw. Utrecht, who are also in a poor run of form, were hammered with shots, which eventually led to Armando Obispo heading home from a corner to give the home team the lead in the Philips stadium.
Despite this, Utrecht equalized just four minutes after the opening goal. Jens Toornstra found Mike van de Hoorn with a perfect cross, and the center-back calmly guided the ball into the corner.
The halftime score was 1-1. Joey Veerman had been very unlucky in two attempts before halftime when one of his efforts was cleared off the line, and the other hit the crossbar.
Utrecht took a 1-2 lead in the 75th minute. A looping cross was headed into the far corner by U.S. midfielder Paxten Aaronson. This seemed like it was going to be the final score until the 92nd minute when Isaac Babadi’s effort just about crept into the goal to make it 2-2.
The result was already a negative one for PSV, but it was made worse a day later when Ajax hammered Heracles to increase their lead at the top of the Eredivisie table to two points with a game in hand.
Mika Godts, Brian Brobbey, Davy Klaassen, and a first goal for Ajax from Oliver Edvardsen gave Francesco Farioli’s team a comfortable victory against the 15th-placed side.
Both PSV and Ajax are in European competition this week. PSV will face Juventus at home on Wednesday. They are currently 2-1 down in their UEFA Champions League playoff. Ajax is in a much more comfortable position. The Amsterdammers face Union Saint Gilloise at home with a 2-0 lead from the first leg in the Europa League.
