Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven slumped to a shock 5-0 defeat at Willem II in Tilburg to give Ajax a small glimmer of hope in the title race. Fran Sol was the hosts hero with a hat-trick.
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Willem II went into the game without head coach Erwin van de Looi, who stepped down earlier this week after fan backlash, while PSV were full of confidence after moving ten points clear at the top last weekend. Phillip Cocu was without Jorrit Hendrix, meaning Derick Luckassen came into the side.
Last weekend Luuk de Jong scored a spectacular overhead kick and the striker came close to repeating it with a similar effort which flew just over the bar. Moments later, Willem II went down the other end and Ben Rienstra fired through the legs of Jeroen Zoet to give Willem II the lead on 21 minutes.
Gaston Pereiro came close to the equaliser just before the break but he was denied by a great save from Mattijs Branderhorst, who had to be replaced at the break.
PSV failed to come out fighting in the second half and after Fernando Lewis hit the post, Fran Sol doubled the hosts lead on 59 minutes. Ten minutes later, Luckassen was penalised for a handball in the box and Sol netted the resulting penalty to make it 3-0.
PSV’s defence was rocked and Rienstra curled in his second to make it 4-0 before Luckassen was sent off for another foul in the box which allowed Sol to complete his hat-trick from the spot in injury time.
PSV stay ten points clear at the top but Ajax can close the gap on Sunday. Willem II remain fifteenth but open up the gap on the bottom three to 8 points.
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Typical story of one team playing like they’ve already won the title against a team supposedly in shambles after their coach quit. Seems clear with Willem II’s effort that they are happy with v.d.Looi gone. They were fast and brought the game to PSV.
No excuses for PSV. Hopefully a wakeup call. A 10-point gap at this stage in the season is large, but not impossible to lose. Everyone looked sluggish. Luckassen should not see another minute of playing time. Two goals can be pinned directly on him today. Luuk de Jong seems more concerned lately with how referees do their job than his own. Lozano and Hendrix back next week and hopefully they will help the club make up for today. It’s a moment they need to use to ask themselves if they want to be champions.
De acuerdo amigo !!!!!!!