Malik Tillman played every minute, while Ricardo Pepi came off the bench in a 5-2 win for the Dutch League leaders
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Malik Tillman played every minute in 5-2 winRicardo Pepi came off the bench to replace Luuk de JongPSV extend Eredivisie lead to eight pointsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
PSV's American duo both featured in the Dutch side's 5-2 dismantling of second-placed Utrecht Sunday. Malik Tillman started in a deeper lying role for Peter Bosz's side, and played all 90 minutes – creating two chances. Ricardo Pepi was less involved, coming off the bench in the 77th minute and failing to register a touch in the opposing box.
Still, this was a comfortable win for PSV, and might go a long way towards wrapping up the title early. Ismael Saibari opened the scoring after 12 minutes, before Anthony Descotte responded for Utrecht. In the second half, though, PSV exploded. Saibari scored a second, while a double from Guus Til, as well as another from Johan Bakayoko, blew the game open.
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Although the Americans had little tangible impact, PSV might have taken a significant step towards repeating as Eredivisie champions. The win extended their lead atop the table to eight points – although Utrecht do have a game in hand. PSV have now won four out of their last five games.
DID YOU KNOW?
Pepi and Tillman weren't the only Americans on the pitch on Sunday. Utrecht lined up with Paxten Aaronson in central midfield. The U.S. youth national has enjoyed a breakout campaign in the Netherlands to date, but struggled to get involved here – despite having a higher match rating than his two countrymen.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR PSV?
The league leaders face European hopefuls FC Twente on Friday, before turning focus to a Champions League matchup with Brest on Dec. 10.
