USMNT star Sergino Dest delivered a ridiculous assist as PSV beat Excelsior 3-1 Saturday, while Luuk de Jong scored his first club hat-trick.
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USMNT's Dest and Tillman start, Pepi on benchFull-back delivers outstanding assistPSV win 3-0Getty WHAT HAPPENED?
Three goals from Luuk de Jong told the story as the Dutchman netted twice in the first half and once in the second. He opened the scoring in the 13th minute, firing home from close range, before doubling PSV's lead four minutes later.
USMNT star Sergino Dest received the ball on the flank, toyed with a defender by duking him out and sent a delicious cross into the box, where De Jong nodded home. His hat-trick was capped off in the 69th minute in brilliant fashion, with his first three-goal evening for he club. However, things got interesting to close out the match.
Excelsior nabbed a goal back in the 82nd minute and then thought they had scored another deep into stoppage time, but the flag came out to save PSV, alerting the referee that an offside was in play. It was a nervy finish, but PSV were dominant for 82 minutes of the contest.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Dest was absolutely brilliant all match, proving to be one of the best attackers – and defenders – on the evening. However, nothing can overshadow the brilliance of De Jong and his first club hat-trick for the Dutch side. He was stupendous all evening and has certified his status as the best striker in the league at the moment. Regardless of the fact he's 33 years of age, he's playing as though he's in the prime of his career, and has PSV on track at the moment.
Not only are they top of the Eredivisie, they're through to the knockout stages of the Champions League in February and are truly looking like a more formidable foe than ever.
GettyUSMNT IMPACT
Dest continues to undergo a career revival in the Netherlands, while Tillman has certified himself as a midfield mainstay for the Dutch league leaders. Gregg Berhalter will have a ridiculously hard choice to make when it comes to starting for the USMNT based on his form of late, while Dest has all but locked in his starting role this summer.
Pepi, meanwhile, continues to play backup to Dutch international De Jong – but for good reason. The forward cannot stop scoring, netting a brace Saturday, bringing his goal total to 13 goals in 16 games in the Eredivisie. A loan move could be on the cards for Pepi, but he's getting regular bench minutes and is still just 21. He's learning from De Jong and getting better as a result.
GOAL'S RATINGS
Malik Tillman (7/10):
He played his midfield role incredibly well, but missed a close-range effort in the second half. Even with a lead, he needs to be more clinical in moments like that.
Sergino Dest (9/10):
Brilliant all evening and served up a top assist. Another performance to impress.
Ricardo Pepi (NA):
Brought on with 14 minutes to spare and by that point, the game was seemingly over with a 3-0 lead. PSV didn't have much to offer in attack as the match closed out.
