This newsitem has been supplied by PSV.nl
PSV dropped points for the sixth time in an away game this season, as Huub Stevens' team had to settle for a 1-1 draw against a Vitesse side, who are lying in seventeenth place. Amrabat gave PSV a first-half lead, but Tarvajärvi scored an equaliser after the break.
PSV in fourth place
PSV ran out winners in two of their eight away fixtures and thus dropped points on six occasions. At first, things were looking bright on Sunday afternoon, especially when Amrabat scored the opener on the stroke of half time. Niklas Tarvajärvi restored parity after the break, so PSV took home only one point after settling for a 1-1 draw. PSV are fourth in the Eredivisie table, equal on points with sc Heerenveen and NAC Breda, courtesy of a better goal difference. They will return to action next week Sunday when they play host to Feyenoord and travel to Enschede on 27 December to face FC Twente on the last match day of 2008.
?Amrabat scored opening goal
Coach Huub Stevens fielded the same side that met Liverpool on Tuesday. Ibrahim Afellay returned to the squad after he had recovered from the ankle injury that he sustained during PSV's Champions League game at Atlético Madrid. Afellay started on the bench where he kept Danny Koevermans company. Eleven minutes were on the club when Danko Lazovic seemed to have opened the scoring against his old club, just like he did on the last match day of the 2007/08 season when PSV clinched the title in Arnhem, but the Serb striker had his goal ruled out for offside. PSV took control and created a number of chances. Dzsudzsák brought out an excellent save from Vitesse keeper Velthuizen and Bakkal found the net from a corner, but had his goal disallowed for a foul. At the other end, PSV stopper Isaksson did well to deny former PSV player Verhaegh. Just when the hosts looked in command of proceedings, PSV struck, at a most convenient moment. Lazovic put Amrabat clear, who, one-on-one with Velthuizen, kept his composure. Amrabat's finish with the outside of his right boot was clinical: 0-1.
Afellay and Koevermans made comebacks
The match slumped into a low tempo affair in the second half. PSV failed to kill off the game and Vitesse were unable to create any clear-cut chances. Niklas Tarvajärvi came off the bench after 58 minutes and the substitution paid dividends seven minutes later. Hofs fed the Finnish striker, who, left completely unmarked, slotted home the equaliser from close range. The goal was scored from a suspiciously offside position, but the assistant referee did not raise his flag. Stevens then made a double substitution, bringing on Ibrahim Afellay and Koevermans for Bakkal and Amrabat, respectively. PSV sent men forward in the closing stages in a bid to grab the winning goal and Koevermans came close, while Afellay had a shot on goal, but is was still 1-1 when the final whistle went. The gap with the leading teams in the Eredivisie has widened. PSV will now start to prepare for next Sunday's clash with Feyenoord at the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven.
