Eredivisie review: Nine-man Utrecht beat PSV

 

Nine-man FC Utrecht pulled off a 1-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie on Sunday, condemning Dick Advocaat's team to their second defeat of the season. 

In Alkmaar, US striker Jozy Altidore scored a hat-trick and provided an assist to take his season's goal tally to a league-leading seven in five matches as AZ beat Roda JC 4-0. 

"It was a special day for me, but must importantly the team played very well," Altidore said. 

Altidore has sometimes struggled for form since arriving at AZ last year, but he has looked unstoppable this season. 

"It has been a struggle to get him going," coach Gertjan Verbeek said, "but I'm not surprised that he's doing so well now." 

Vitesse Arnhem also made light of Jan-Arie van der Heijden being sent off in the 30th minute, as it scored three second-half goals to beat Groningen 3-0 and move into second place in the league. 

PSV are considered one of the main contenders for the league title, but looked weary in just the fifth match of the season. 

"We can have few excuses," Advocaat said. "This was a deserved win for Utrecht. We missed fighting spirit. Some players even looked tired." 

Utrecht midfielder Anouar Kali was sent off in the 69th minute for his second yellow card, but his team took the lead just three minutes later when defender Dave Bulthuis rose to head home a free kick from Tommy Oar. 

With 10 minutes to go, Alexander Gerndt became the second Utrecht player to be red carded, but his team hung on for the win to rise to eighth place, one point behind fifth-place PSV. 

On Saturday, Robbert Schilder scored twice as league leader FC Twente maintained its 100 percent record by thrashing Willem II 6-2 in Tilburg. 

"The players did their jobs," coach Steve McClaren said. "The only bad mark and disappointment was conceding two goals." 

Ajax also won Saturday, beating RKC Waalwijk 2-0 in Amsterdam thanks to goals from midfielder Lasse Schoene and substitute Jody Lukoki.

 



AP

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