PSV Eindhoven failed to close the gap on Ajax to a point after they drew 2-2 against Heerenveen in a crazy game in Friesland.

With Ajax and Vitesse Arnhem both dropping points, PSV had the chance to go second with a win over Heerenveen. Roger Schmidt brought Mohamed Ihattaren back into the starting eleven as PSV began in a 4-3-3 formation.

Henk Veerman twice went close for Heerenveen early on but was denied both times by Yvon Mvogo. At the other end, Ibrahim Sangaré tested Erwin Mulder.

Heerenveen were the better side but after half an hour, PSV took the lead. Ihattaren set Gakpo free and the winger found Mario Gotze with the outside of his foot. The German midfielder then brilliantly finished past Mulder.

Gakpo was within inches of doubling the lead for PSV, while Mvogo was called into action again to deny Joey Veerman.

In the second half, PSV’s performance dwindled and Heerenveen equalised in the 69th minute. Joey set up Henk Veerman to race in on goal and finish.

The goal came immediately after Schmidt had made a double substitution, taking off Gakpo and Philipp Max for Noni Madueke and Adrian Fein. In the 78th minute, Schmidt made another double change with Joel Piroe and Ritchie Ledezma replacing Malen and Gotze. The result was the same as Heerenveen took the lead moments later. Mitchell van Bergen raced past Olivier Boscagli before firing past Mvogo.

PSV were heading for defeat but in the 92nd minute, Piroe equalised from close range. Heerenveen went straight down the other end and Referee Bas Nijhuis pointed to the spot and sent off Sangare for a handball. VAR intervened, though, and the decision was reversed because Veerman was offside in the build-up.

PSV must stay third after the draw, while Heerenveen are 7th.




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