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Ibrahim Afellay was the hero for PSV as he scored the all-important 78th minute goal to secure a 1-0 win over Feyenoord at the Philips Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Feyenoord provided tough opposition and PSV had to work hard but were worthy of a hard earned three points.
First half chances
Ibrahim Afellay returned to the starting line-up and there were also places in Huub Stevens' starting eleven for the attacking minded players Otman Bakkal, Danko Lazovic, Balázs Dzsudzsák and Nordin Amrabat. Feyenoord keeper Henk Timmer was forced to withdraw with a suspected ankle injury when he was warming up ahead of the game and former PSV stopper Rob van Dijk, who is almost forty years old, deputised between the posts. El Ahmadi created the first meaningful chance for Feyenoord at the Philips Stadium, but Marcellis came in with a crunching tackle to thwart him. At the other end, PSV also had their moments. Afellay had a shot on goal and Bakkal placed a header on target. Marcellis got close to scoring the opener but saw his header strike the woodwork. Feyenoord striker Makaay threatened to create a breakthrough and Lazovic narrowly failed to connect with his low cross, as the two teams fought out a goalless first half.
Afellay scored winning goal
PSV got off to a bright start after the break Dzsudzsák seemed to have opened the scoring after only one minute. Referee Braamhaar, however, controversially disallowed the Hungarian's goal for offside. Minutes later PSV had a decent penalty appeal turned down when Lazovic was fouled in the area, but the referee, who cautioned five Feyenoord players, waved play on. PSV started most moves and put in a spirited display, but could not break down the rock-solid Feyenoord defence. Koevermans came off the bench to replace Dzsudzsák as PSV sent men forward. The deadlock was broken in the 78th minute when the ball fell into the path of Afellay who did not hesitate and unleashed a powerful strike into the top corner. Stevens brought on Zonneveld and Kromkamp in the closing stages. The visitors were unable to create any chances to grab an equaliser as PSV held on for a win to move into fourth place in the Eredivisie standings.
