A Luuk De Jong hat-trick helped PSV to an enthralling 4-2 win at AZ to help his side extend their lead at the top of the Eredivisie to 15 points.
- By Michael Statham
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PSV gave a rare start to centre-back Nicolas Isimat-Mirin in place of Jeffrey Bruma and the Monaco loanee was on hand to block a Robert Mühren shot in the second minute. AZ continued to press early and forced goalkeeper Jereon Zoet into a double save, but seconds later PSV broke away and De Jong scored his first of the night, striking home after a parried Wijnaldum shot.
It didn’t take the visitors long to extend their lead. De Jong heading in a Willems corner to double PSV’s advantage after only 8 minutes. Depay could have made it three to celebrate his 21st birthday with a goal but he had a one disallowed for offside, followed by a chipped shot which drifted just over the bar.
AZ replied with a Berghuis drive which was straight at Zoet and were unlucky not to score when Depay almost put the ball in his own net, but his poor defensive header hit the cross bar. However the home side got their reward for concerted pressure in the first half through a neat move finished off by Markus Henriksen. That was the Norwegian’s fourth goal in his last four matches. PSV lost Karim Rekik on the stroke of half time to a suspected hamstring injury, but the defender was lucky not to see red earlier in the half when he tugged back on Robert Muhren who was through on goal.
Straight after the break AZ deservedly leveled when Berghuis crossed in low for Mühren to power home ahead of flat footed substitute Jeffrey Bruma. The 17 point gap between these two sides before kick-off looked deceptive at this point. Although the home fans joy was short lived after Wijnaldum converted a Jetro Willems cross and De Jong finished Luciano Narsingh’s ball in to make it 4-2 and complete his hat-trick. AZ were not finished there though and could have found a way back into the match a second time if substitutes Guus Hupperts and Muamer Tanković had converted their chances.
Unfortunately for the home side it was not to be and in the end De Jong could have added to his season’s total of 13, but sent a simple header over the bar. The win takes PSV temporarily 15 points clear this weekend after a tenth straight win. AZ remain fourth.
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Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.
