PSV Eindhoven weren’t at their best but they beat Heracles 3-0 in the Philips Stadion to move six points clear at the top of the table. 

With Feyenoord hosting Ajax, PSV knew a win over Heracles would strengthen their position at the top of the table and they welcomed back Hirving Lozano to the starting line-up after an injury.

PSV started on top and should have been ahead on two minutes but Gaston Pereiro couldn’t beat Bram Castro. Jurgen Locadia then missed two decent chances before the opening goal finally came on 18 minutes. Jorrit Hendrix played Lozano through with a lovely ball and the Mexican calmly slotted in his seventh goal of the season.

The floodgates were expected to open after the goal but PSV failed to kill of the game and Heracles grew in confidence, especially through Brandley Kuwas who caused the hosts defence problems before the break.

Luuk de Jong forced Castro into a good save early in the second half as PSV struggled to find a second. Heracles remained dangerous and they got an excellent chance to equalise, but Jaroslav Navratil couldn’t beat Jeroen Zoet when played through on goal.

Young Brazilian Mauro Junior was brought off the bench by Phillip Cocu and he made an almost immediate impact, heading across goal for Marco van Ginkel to slide in PSV’s second of the game on 78 minutes. Just before the end, substitute Albert Gudmundsson was pushed over in the box by Robin Propper earning the Heracles defender a red card and PSV a penalty. Van Ginkel slotted in the spot kick to seal the victory for PSV.

PSV are now six points clear of PEC Zwolle in second while Heracles are 14th.




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