PSV overcome halftime deficit to win 2-1 at FC Utrecht

PSV picked up a hard-fought victory away to FC Utrecht on Sunday. The Eindhovenaren were 1-0 down at halftime before goals from Ricardo Pepi and Ivan Perisic turned the game around. They will go into the winter break with at least a nine-point lead. It is the 14th away win in a row that Peter Bosz’s side have picked up, a record in Eredivisie history.

Joey Veerman was playing what was likely his last game in a PSV shirt. Reports on Friday stated that the midfielder is close to finalizing a move to Turkish club Fenerbahce. Mauro Junior also started after picking up an injury against amateur side GVVV in the KNVB Cup on Tuesday. PSV were missing Ismael Saibari, Anass Salah-Eddine, and Adamo Nagalo, who are all participating in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Utrecht came close to breaking the deadlock in the first half when right back Siebe Horemans hit a shot from long distance which came back off the post.

Utrecht broke the deadlock in the 31st minute. A cross from Horemans found Mike van de Hoorn in the box, and he headed it high into the net. The goal was initially ruled out for offside by the linesman, but a VAR review showed that Junior had kept the center back onside.

Van de Hoorn was also important defensively shortly after this. A shot from Ivan Perisic was going towards the goal before the defender cleared it.

PSV equalized in the 52nd minute. A through ball by substitute Esmir Bajraktarevic found Sergino Dest, his low cross was then knocked into the far corner by Ricardo Pepi.

The away side started to pile on the pressure after this. Utrecht goalkeeper Vasilias Barkas was forced into a save at his near post when Guus Til’s shot was deflected towards goal.

The Greek keeper also had to make another save from Til, this one a lot more difficult and spectacular, a few minutes later. The midfielder curled the ball towards the far corner, but Barkas was equal to it.

Ron Jans’ side also came close to re-taking the lead in the 72nd minute. Sofian El Karouni, who finished 2025 with the most assists of any Eredivisie player, put in a great cross to the far post, but the ball bounced before it came to Miguel Rodriguez, which made his header difficult.

PSV scored the winning goal in the 76th minute. Veerman got what is probably his last assist with a corner to the near post, which was headed into the goal by Perisic.

It got more difficult for PSV in the final stages of the game as Jerdy Schouten made some uncharacteristic errors, leading to a sending off for two yellow cards. Although Utrecht pushed forward after this, they did not create much of note.