PSV blitz Grongigen in second half to go top
Last week, PSV failed to secure a place in the Champions League group stages, going out 2-1 on aggregate to Benfica, but they responded well with a 5-2 beating of Groningen in the last match before the international break.
After just seven minutes, Cody Gakpo opened the scoring with a shot that fired into the far corner. However, that lead was soon wiped out by two goals from Cyril Ngonge in the 15th and 18th minute.
PSV got back on level terms after an own goal from Mohamed El Hankouri and then took the lead on the stroke of half time following a header from Andre Ramalho.
After half-time, PSV went up a few gears. Cody Gakpo and van Ginkel missed chances, but striker Eren Zahavi scored to bag PSV’s fourth.
In stoppage time, Bruma added gloss to the victory with a fifth.
Ajax crush tired Vitesse
Vitesse managed to qualify for the group stage of a European tournament for the first time since 2017/18.
On Thursday they beat Anderlecht from Belgium 2-1, which was enough after a 3-3 draw in Brussels.
The Thursday-Sunday schedule seemed to take all the energy out of Vitesse as they didn’t show up in Amsterdam. After an assist from Nousair Mazraoui, Antony scored the first goal after five minutes.
Ajax created chance after chance and it was only a matter of time before they would score another goal. After 30 minutes, Edson Alvarez scored the second with a header.
Alvarez also hit the crossbar, but it was soon 3-0 as Ryan Gravenberch scored another goal before half-time.
In the second half, Ajax were profligate in front of goal but they were helped by Tomas Hajek who put the ball into his own net.
Davy Klaassen concluded the game with the fifth goal after 67 minutes.
Feyenoord beaten
In the last six editions of FC Utrecht – Feyenoord both teams always managed to score. This happened again with all goals coming within 10 minutes.
In the first half Feyenoord couldn’t manage to display the football that they showed in the previous games. Both teams didn’t create many chances in the first half, but Utrecht were playing the better football.
On the stroke of half-time, Feyenoord surprisingly took the lead. Luis Sinisterra calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner to put Arne’s Slot side ahead.
The celebrations were only just finished when Utrecht equalised through defender Willem Janssen.
Moussa Sylla then put the hosts in front three minutes after half-time, before Simon Gustafson scored a third after Tyrell Malacia fouled in the penalty area.
It was a valuable win for Utrecht, who rose to third in the table.
League standings
PSV are the only side with maximum points after three games; and they lead the way at the top of the table.
Behind them follow Ajax and Utrecht with seven points, while Feyenoord stays on six.
At the bottom of the league, both Cambuur and Go Ahead Eagles managed to get their first wins against Twente and Sparta respectively. The only team without any points, and also goals, are PEC Zwolle.
After their losses against Vitesse and NEC, they were beaten 1-0 by Willem II in Tilburg.
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