PSV make light work of Napoli
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Article summary
PSV Eindhoven 3-0 SSC Napoli
The Dutch Eredivisie side made up for their matchday one defeat with a comprehensive victory against Napoli in Group F.
Article top media content
Article body
Goals from Jeremain Lens, Dries Mertens and Marcelo earned PSV Eindhoven a 3-0 victory against SSC Napoli in UEFA Europa League Group F.
PSV took the lead after 19 minutes when Lens capitalised on a mistake by Napoli goalkeeper Antonio Rosati, with Mertens' volley making it two before the break. Marcelo confirmed Napoli's first defeat of the season with a header early in the second half as the Eredivisie club emphatically made amends for their matchday one loss to FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.
Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri rested several key players, just as he had for their 4-0 thrashing of AIK Solna a fortnight ago, yet it was the visitors who fashioned the first chance through Lorenzo Insigne. However, PSV quickly took control of proceedings, with Luciano Narsingh and Kevin Strootman threatening, the latter making Rosati save with his feet.
Rosati, however, was culpable for the opener, misjudging a seemingly innocuous long ball from Timothy Derijck which allowed Lens in for an easy finish. PSV continued to dominate, with Narsingh in particular tormenting the Serie A outfit down the right.
Atiba Hutchinson had a shot rebuffed by Rosati following a pass from Narsingh, who then dribbled past Andrea Dossena and Marco Donadel before sending in a precise cross for Mertens to score with a slightly deflected volley.
PSV continued to attack after the interval despite the introduction of Napoli striker Edinson Cavani. The hosts twice went close to netting again with headers from corners, Marcelo just missing the target and Derijck forcing Rosati into another stop with his legs, before increasing their advantage on 52 minutes when Marcelo nodded in a right-wing corner from Mertens.