Eredivisie wrap: PSV hit back at home

PSV consolidated their place on top of the Eredivisie table with a hard-fought 2-1 win over FC Utrecht at Philips Stadion on Saturday.

PSV consolidated their place on top of the Eredivisie table with a hard-fought 2-1 win over FC Utrecht at Philips Stadion on Saturday.

The Eindhoven side went into the game off the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw with Vitesse last weekend and knew another slip up would open the door for the chasing pack to close the gap to first place once more.

And Dick Advocaat’s men got off to the worst possible start with Utrecht forward Jacob Mulenga putting the away side ahead after just 10 minutes.

However, Dries Mertens drew PSV level with half an hour played and they didn’t look back from there, piling on the pressure as they searched for the lead.

The home side eventually hit the front through Georginio Wijnaldum after 65 minutes and were able to stay strong at the back to seal the vital win.

PSV now move six points clear of Ajax, Twente and Feyenoord at the top of the table with 10 matches left to play while Utrecht drop to sixth place.

Elsewhere, Twente missed the chance to move to outright second after being held to a shock 1-1 draw by bottom club Willem II.

Steve McClaren’s side appeared to be heading for victory after a Douglas goal on the stroke of half-time put them 1-0 ahead but Willem refused to be denied with substitute Ricardo Ippel popping up in stoppage time to steal a dramatic point.

Twente are now level with Ajax and Feyenoord in third with both sides still to play this round while Willem move to within five points of safety.

In the day’s other games, AZ Alkmaar played out a draw 2-2 with Roda JC while NAC Breda and Heracles also couldn’t be separated as they drew 1-1.