PSV retakes Eredivisie lead with 2-5 win at SC Cambuur as Sven Mijnans scores hat-trick

Mijnans opens the floodgates

PSV retook the top of the Eredivisie on Sunday, 8 November, with a 2-5 win at SC Cambuur in Leeuwarden. Sven Mijnans put the visitors ahead inside the first minute, heading in a cross from Esmir Bajraktarevic, who started ahead of Ivan Perisic. Perisic was still troubled by a head wound picked up against Club Brugge. Mijnans doubled the lead soon after, and Ruben van Bommel made it 0-3 before the match was halted. Cambuur had gone eight matches unbeaten before kick-off (seven in the Eredivisie and one in the KNVB Cup), but PSV had them under firm control.

Sven Mijnans3

Ruben van Bommel1

Ayoni Santos1

Sven Mijnans

3 goals

Ruben van Bommel

1 goals

Ayoni Santos

1 goals

Data from the article text

Protests and a quarter-hour stoppage

Cambuur protested both early goals, citing ball wins by Kodai Sano and Van Bommel that started the moves. In each case the ball had already been played, so the goals stood. After the 0-3, part of the home crowd threw plastic cups and bottles onto the pitch. Referee Sander van der Eijk halted the match for a quarter of an hour in line with protocol.

Cambuur pulls back, PSV finishes strong

After the restart Cambuur played better. Nicky Souren reduced the deficit to 1-3 just before half-time, and his celebration, with the ball under his shirt and a thumb under his mouth, was read as a sign he is expecting a child. The second half was far more even, and PSV eased off the gas. Iwan Henstra made it 2-3 just under 80 minutes in, but Mijnans restored the two-goal cushion with a direct free kick over the wall, 2-4. A Cambuur effort by Hamache was ruled out for offside after the VAR check, as Ceka had been offside in the build-up. Ayoni Santos, a substitute, finished at the far post late on for 2-5.

Standings and Champions League

PSV now sits one point above Feyenoord and Ajax. Feyenoord lost at sc Heerenveen (5-3), while Ajax drew 2-2 at FC Twente. This is only the second time this season PSV has finished a matchday at the top, after the sixth matchday when it was level on points with AZ but ahead on goal difference. Peter Bosz's side was seen as title favourites before the season began. In Europe the picture is different: PSV needed many chances to score in the Champions League, as it did against Club Brugge on Wednesday, 4 November. In the Eredivisie the team finds the net more easily.