PSV on brink of title after dramatic 4-3 win over Utrecht

PSV opened the door for the confirmation of their 27th Eredivisie title this weekend with a 4-3 win over FC Utrecht on Saturday. A 94th-minute winning goal from Couhaib Driouech ensured that Peter Bosz’s side can become champions if Feyenoord fails to beat FC Volendam on Sunday.

The league leaders had to recover from a dreadful start in which Utrecht scored twice within the first 15 minutes. A strong start to the second half, with two goals in six minutes and a fantastic performance from Ismael Saibari, helped PSV to the victory.

PSV had to make a late change to their starting lineup. Armando Obispo was set to start the game at center back next to Jerdy Schouten, but he picked up an injury during the warm-up, leading to Yarek Gasierowski taking his place.

Utrecht took the lead within three minutes. Ivan Perisic was caught napping with Niklas Vesterlund escaping his attention before he found Artem Stepanovs, whose shot on the turn was deflected into the goal for his fourth goal of the season since joining Utrecht in January.

The Philips stadium was silenced further in the 13th minute when Utrecht made it 2-0. Poor defensive organization from PSV led to Gijval Zechiel receiving the ball with a ton of space to run into, which led to an easy finish for his seventh of the season.

PSV were all over the place, with Utrecht almost getting another goal a few minutes later. A terrific cross from Siebe Horemans found Stepanovs unmarked in the box, his header bounced off the turf before going over. This led to whistles from the PSV supporters at the dismal start from their team.

Ismael Saibari brought his team back into the game single-handedly in the 21st minute. The Moroccan received the ball on the wing, dribbled past Horemans, cut inside Zechiel, and struck a hard shot high into the goal to reduce the deficit to a goal.

Utrecht were playing some great stuff in the first half hour. Some quick one-touch play with a few back heels led to Yoann Cathline finding Vesterlund at the far post with a cross in the 25th minute, but his header was caught by Kovar.

PSV came close to an equalizer in the 40th minute when Perisic played a pass into the path of Saibari, who then, in turn, also played the ball on to Guus Til. The midfielder cum forward would have scored if he had gotten the shot on target, but he did not get the right connection on the effort.

The final chance of an enthralling first half also fell to the home side. A shot from Paul Wanner was deflected into the path of Kiliann Sildillia, but his finish was a typical defender’s finish, with the ball coming back off the crossbar.

PSV made the perfect start to the second half when a chip over the defence from Mauro Junior was won by Saibari ahead of Matisse Didden before he smashed the shot into the far corner.

Saibari was leading by example, adding an assist to his two goals in the 52nd minute. The midfielder took a perfect touch to get past Didden before playing a low cross across the box to Til, who converted the easy chance to give PSV their first lead of the match.

The game fell flat for a while after this, with a low point being the injury to Jerdy Schouten. The 29-year-old twisted his knee and was stretchered off, with a potential summer World Cup in doubt.

Utrecht created a chance in the 75th minute. Zechiel chipped the ball into the box to Cathline, but his header was straight at Kovar.

Ron Jans’ side equalized in the 82nd minute. The two substitutes combined with Sebastien Haller playing a pass to Jesper Karlsson, his shot went through Sildillia’s legs and into the far corner to make it 3-3.

Utrecht’s hopes of taking a point from the league leaders were dashed in the 94th minute when a significant error from goalkeeper Vasilias Barkas resulted in the winning goal for PSV. Couhaib Driouech hit a harmless low towards the center of the goal, but Barkas got distracted by Didden letting the ball run and inexplicably let the ball go under his body and into the goal.

PSV players celebrated after the game, with the title more or less confirmed and a possible celebration planned for tomorrow.