Early PSV burst catches Trabzonspor cold

PSV Eindhoven won 2-1 at Trabzonspor AŞ to take the advantage in their UEFA Europa League round of 32 tie.

Both teams showed admirable attacking intent, but it was PSV – now unbeaten in ten European outings – who prevailed to leave their hosts without a continental victory since UEFA Champions League matchday one. PSV looked set to run away with it when Tim Matavž and Ola Toivonen put them two up inside 11 minutes, but Olcan Adın's goal just after the half-hour leaves the tie in the balance.

Trabzonspor were in charge in the opening five minutes, PSV's defence struggling to cope with the Turkish side's power. Indeed, Halil Altıntop and Burak Yılmaz both threatened PSV keeper Andreas Isaksson in the opening two minutes – then their momentum was suddenly halted.

PSV's first attempt went in, Matavž's fine strike from just outside the penalty area giving Trabzonspor keeper Tolga Zengin little chance. Five minutes later the home crowd were silenced once again when a clever pass from Dries Martens laid on Toivonen to double the visitors' advantage.

It looked like being a long night for the home fans but, just as Fred Rutten's team seemed able to relax, Turkish spirits were lifted again by Olcan, who ran at the PSV defence and lifted the ball past Isaksson; game on.

The match remained good value after the interval, with neither side content with their lot. Burak twice came close but lacked the clinical finishing which has helped him to 27 goals in 23 Super League appearances this term. Clear-cut openings were not as commonplace as before the break, leaving PSV content with a narrow lead to protect in Eindhoven next week.