Three and easy for table-topping PSV

Published Jan. 22, 2010 2:40 p.m. ET

foxsports

Ola Toivonen struck a goal in each half, with substitute Nordin Amrabat sealing matters on the stroke of full-time to give Fred Rutten's side breathing space at the top from FC Twente, who visit FC Groningen on Sunday. NEC remain in 15th spot, but will slip into a relegation play-off place should Willem II or ADO Den Haag win this weekend. Balazs Dzsudzsak could have put PSV ahead as early as the ninth minute but fired wide from 10 yards. The visitors' first opportunity of note arrived 12 minutes later via Saidi Ntibazonkiza, who picked up possession in midfield and burst forward to make a chance for himself but could not direct his effort on target. The deadlock was broken in the 23rd minute, and it was the home fans who were celebrating. Danko Lazovic's inswinging cross was met by Carlos Salcido, who teed up Sweden forward Toivonen to head home from 10 yards. PSV almost doubled their advantage five minutes before the interval when Dzsudzsak's cross from the left found Danny Koevermans at the far post, but he could only lash wide. Andreas Isaksson was called upon to keep his side ahead after an hour, the Sweden goalkeeper anticipating well and making a fine save to deny Erton Fejzullahu from Bjorn Vleminckx's centre. And, barely 60 seconds later, PSV were two up. Toivonen surged forwards and unleashed a right-footed shot from 15 yards which beat Gabor Babos and found its way into the left side of the NEC goal. Amrabat replaced Koevermans with 13 minutes remaining and got his name on the scoresheet with virtually the last kick of the game, slotting into the bottom-right corner from just inside the penalty area following a neat ball from Dzsudzsak.