PSV earn comeback draw against AIK

PSV Eindhoven came from behind to rescue a point against AIK and move second in UEFA Europa League Group F.

Both sides struck the woodwork in the opening 20 minutes of a first half that saw relatively little goalmouth action. Kwame Karikari latched onto a speculative clearance from Nils-Eric Johansson to give the Swedish visitors an unexpected lead after the break, but Jeremain Lens restored parity ten minutes from time. 

The game was just five minutes old when Johansson was denied by a post after meeting Helgi Daníelsson's flick-on. The Dutch club followed suit at the other end, Kevin Strootman's low drive clipping the outside of the upright following good work by Dries Mertens. Timothy Derijck then headed another cross from the Belgian international just wide, before Georginio Wijnaldum blazed over from inside the area.

The second half initially bore an uncanny resemblance to the first, with PSV unable to establish any consistent rhythm while AIK played on the counter. The approach of Andreas Alm's side proved the more effective just after the hour, Karikari outstripping Marcelo before rounding substitute goalkeeper Przemysław Tytoń and slotting in.

Even then Dick Advocaat's team struggled for tempo until they finally broke free from their shackles on 80 minutes, Lens finding the net with a deft lob following Mertens's through ball. The result gives the Gnaw their first point in Group F, while PSV preserved a 22-game unbeaten home run in European football stretching back to a 3-1 defeat by Liverpool FC in the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League.