Kezman eases PSV through

Mateja Kezman scored twice as PSV Eindhoven eased into the last 16 of the UEFA Cup with a convincing 3-1 win on the night and on aggregate against AC Perugia at the Philips Stadium.

Tense start
PSV started nervously and the first ten minutes were a tense affair. It was no surprise then when the Italian side carved out the first opening, Jose Ferreira driving a free-kick from outside the area against a post. PSV soon improved and took the lead with 22 minutes gone when the defender Kevin Hofland powered in a header from Mark van Bommel's free-kick.

Drought ended
The Dutch side doubled their advantage just before the break when Arjen Robben - who yesterday agreed a summer move to Chelsea FC - sent in a cross from the left and Kezman saw off the attentions of two defenders to beat Zeljko Kalac in the Perugia goal. It was the striker's first goal in European competition for 1,357 minutes.

Kezman strikes again
In the 48th minute PSV ended the tie as a contest. There was more good play from Robben down the left side as he linked up with the substitute Young-Pyo Lee to create an opening for Kezman who tapped the ball into the net.

Ferreira hits back
Having built a comfortable winning margin, PSV started playing to their home crowd by trying to pick out Kezman for his third goal. But it was Perugia who struck next, earning some consolation when Ferreira fired in a free-kick from 20 metres with two minutes to play.

'Under pressure'
Guus Hiddink, the PSV coach, said of the success: "My team started very nervously which was why the beginning of the match was tough for us. Perugia kept our defence under pressure until our first goal. I compliment my team's efficiency at being able to score three times from three chances. After the first goal it was just a question of how to control the game."