PSV outclassed as Newcastle claim comfortable 3–0 win in the UEFA Champions League
PSV were comfortably swept aside by English side Newcastle United on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League. Peter Bosz’s side were powerless at St James Park, losing 3-0 due to goals from Yoann Wissa, Anthony Gordon, and Harvey Barnes.
As it stands, the Eindhovenaren are still set for a place in the play-off round of the competition. They are currently 22nd with one game remaining against Bayern Munich, who are already confirmed to be in the top eight and therefore have nothing left to play for. It is very close to 25th place, which would mean elimination for PSV. They are currently only within the playoff spots due to a better goal difference than the Italian side Napoli.
Peter Bosz took a risk by starting Anass Salah-Eddine. The Moroccan left back has just come back from the Africa Cup of Nations, where he came on in the final on Sunday. Couhaib Driouech and Esmir Bajraktarevic were dropped to the bench after starting in the 2-1 win over Telstar at the weekend.
PSV’s first half was defined by two errors at the back. First, a poor kick by goalkeeper Matej Kovar was won by Bruno Guimarães, played to his compatriot Joelinton, who stayed calm to play the ball sideways to Yoann Wissa for a simple finish.
That goal was scored in the eighth minute, and PSV gifted the home side another goal in the 30th minute. Yarek Gasierowski attempted to pass the ball back to his keeper, but the pass was too short, with Wissa showing good awareness to read the situation and slide the ball across to England international Anthony Gordon for a simple finish.
PSV failed to create anything of note throughout the game, and the home side did not exert themselves too much to push for more goals. This led to a low-key affair, with the only highlight of the second half being Newcastle’s third goal.
This goal was scored by Harvey Barnes. The English winger scored his 13th goal of the season by dribbling past Gasierowski, who had a rare poor game, before calmly slotting the ball into the far corner.
It was Newcastle’s fourth win in the competition. Eddie Howe’s side is currently seventh, meaning that they may also skip the play-off round if they manage to stay within the top eight next week.
PSV hosts NAC Breda on Saturday evening in the Eredivisie, where they already have a 16-point lead over their nearest challengers. Bosz may choose to rest some players for that game to have them as fresh as possible for the final match against the German champions.
