PSV’s free-flowing football dazzles again in 5–2 victory over Fortuna Sittard

PSV continued their impressive attacking form on Friday evening, winning 5-2 against Fortuna Sittard in the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven. Ismael Saibari added another two goals to his tally, with the other goals coming from Dennis Man, Ricardo Pepi, and Guus Til. Fortuna got two goals back in the second half through Justin Lonwijk and Kai Sierhuis.

The win puts PSV top of the Eredivisie for the time being. They are currently three points ahead of Feyenoord, but the Rotterdammers face FC Volendam at home on Saturday evening.

PSV manager Peter Bosz opted for Guus Til in the striker position. Til was preferred to Ricardo Pepi. This made it an unchanged side from the one that beat Feyenoord 3-2 in De Kuip last weekend.

The home team showed its dominance early on with several shots at Fortuna’s goal in the early stages. Ismael Saibari, scorer of a hat trick last weekend in Rotterdam, had already had a few shots at goal when he broke the deadlock in the 17th minute. Dennis Man chipped the ball into the box from the right-hand side, and Saibari showed more of his finishing prowess by heading it hard into the far corner.

Fortuna had a significant chance to level the game in the 26th minute. PSV lost possession in a dangerous area, which resulted in a real chance for Dimitris Limnios, but his effort was saved by PSV keeper Matej Kovar.

Saibari continued his incredible form by getting another goal in the 26th minute. Mauro Junior played a pass into the Moroccan’s feet, and he spun before rocketing a shot high into the goal. It was his 10th goal in his last eight games.

It was 3-0 just before halftime. Man added to his assist with a lovely goal. The Romanian dribbled past two Fortuna players in the box before prodding home from close range.

Fortuna had another chance to score early in the second after another sloppy giveaway at the back, Junior at fault on this occasion, gifting the ball to the former PSV player Mohamed Ihattaren. His shot was saved by Kovar before Makan Aiko’s effort was deflected out for a corner.

This almost proved costly for PSV when it seemed like Fortuna had been awarded a penalty from the resulting corner. Referee Bas Nijhuis was sent to the monitor after the ball had hit the arm of Ryan Flamingo, but the referee made the rare decision of not awarding the penalty after having watched it on the monitor.

PSV had become very lackadaisical in the second half, and this resulted in Fortuna getting a goal back in the 68th minute. Kovar gave the ball away with a poor pass, and he also failed to fix his own error, letting Justin Lonwijk’s tame shot roll through his hands.

Just when PSV’s poor play had given Fortuna the hope that they could get something from the match, the home team made it 4-1. Ricardo Pepi got to the ball before Ivan Marquez, which gave him the whole opposition half to run into. The U.S. striker decided not to pass to Couhaib Driouch, opting to chip the ball over Mattijs Branderhorst into the Fortuna goal.

Fortuna got their second goal of the game in injury time. Kaj Sierhuis staked his claim for a starting spot, coming off the bench to score a 30-yarder. The former Ajax youth product’s shot went in off the inside of the post.

During injury time, Fortuna’s energy started to fade, which led to PSV hitting the post twice and getting another goal. First Driouch hit the woodwork with an effort from just outside the area before Esmir Bajraktarevic did the same from the other corner of the box.

The goal came in the final minute of the game. Joey Veerman had plenty of space to cross the ball into the box from the right, and he found Guus Til, whose hooked effort looped perfectly into the far corner to make it 5-2.

PSV will now focus on their upcoming UEFA Champions League game away to Greek side Olympiacos. The Eindhovenaren will be attempting to build on their spectacular 6-2 win over Napoli on the last match day.