PSV win first "topper" of the Eredivisie season beating Ajax 3-1 in Amsterdam

PSV win first "topper" of the Eredivisie season beating Ajax 3-1 in Amsterdam PSV won the first “topper” of the Eredivisie season on Saturday, defeating Ajax 3-1 in the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. Goals from Ricardo Pepi, Lutsharel Geertruida, and Esmir Bajraktarević sealed the win for the reigning champions after Tolu Arokodare had leveled the game in the first half. It is Ajax’s fifth Eredivisie game without a win at home. It leaves Ajax six points behind the Eindhovenaren, although Michel’s side still has a game in hand to reduce the gap to three points. It was a PSV debut for Lutsharel Geertruida. The defender was considered by many to be PSV’s most impressive signing of the window; he was chosen above Ryan Flamingo. Ajax’s new signing, Sofyan Amrabat, was left on the bench for the game with 18-year-old Jorthy Mokio starting in midfield. PSV took the lead after just four minutes played. Ivan Perisic played a good deep cross to the far corner of the box where Ruben van Bommel headed it across to Ricardo Pepi in front of goal, who only needed to nod it in. It was the third game in a row that PSV have scored against Ajax within the first 10 minutes of the game in the Eredivisie. The home side came back strongly, creating several chances. Their first of the game came in the 15th minute when PSV allowed centre-back Aaron Bouwman to carry the ball deep into the PSV half before he played it on to Steven Berghuis; his effort on the turn was saved by Matej Kovar in the PSV goal. It was an entertaining first half with PSV creating the next chance through Ruben van Bommel. The winger, who has made a terrific start to the season after a severe injury last season, dribbled past Bouwman with ease before hitting his shot too hard. Ajax got their equalizer in the 23rd minute. Tolu Arokodare, who has made a terrific start to his Ajax career, got another goal for his new side with a low effort, which bounced into the far corner. Michel’s side missed two huge chances to put themselves in the lead seven minutes later. PSV’s high press was beaten when Julian Brandt had a free run towards goal; his effort was saved, but the rebound, which fell to Berghuis, was an even bigger chance, which the winger put wide. Davy Klaassen was next up to waste an opportunity for a goal. Mokio found the team captain with a great through ball, but Klaassen showed very little calmness in front of goal, putting the shot far over. The away side made it 2-1 with the last kick of the half. Geertruida volleyed the ball into the far corner, several years after he scored a dramatic winner for Feyenoord in the same stadium. Although both sides missed some half-chances in the second half, it was a foul that produced the biggest moment in the second half. Van Bommel came in with a very dangerous body check on Ajax defender Bouwman, which hit the defender right in the face. This led to a big argument between the two teams, which also then continued on the bench. Many Ajax fans and players were left irate at the fact that referee Sander van der Eijk decided to let Van Bommel off with a booking. PSV sealed the game in injury time. Their substitutions were a lot more effective than the substitutions made by Michel, with Esmir Bajraktarević, a second-half substitute, finding the net with a low shot into the far corner in injury time. It may be the last goal for PSV from the Bosnian, as rumors are that clubs from Saudi Arabia are interested in the winger.