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Report: FC Copenhagen v PSV

Published: Thursday, 5 November 2009, 10:28PM


PSV held in Copenhagen

PSV Eindhoven fought out a 1-1 draw with FC Copenhagen at Parken to remain in the driving seat in Europa League Group K.

Jesper Gronkjaer's first-half penalty was cancelled out by Balazs Dzsudzsak for the Dutch visitors, but their lead at the top was cut to one point by Sparta Prague who beat Cluj.

The opening 20 minutes were a tense affair as both teams looked to get a foothold in the game.

FCK won that battle and immediately began to make work for PSV keeper Andreas Isaksson, who tipped Hjalte Bo Norregaard's teasing shot round the post and then claimed a tricky corner from Oscar Wendt which threatened to sneak in at the left post.

FCK's dominance continued with Atiba Hutchinson blasting a 20-yard strike inches over the crossbar in what was an intense few minutes for the PSV defence.

William Kvist produced the Danes' next chance on the half hour with a curling shot from the right side of the area which was also pushed round the post by Isaksson.

The Sweden international was finding life difficult in the PSV goal and Martin Vingaard forced another good save moments later.

Desperation was beginning to creep into the PSV backline and Erik Pieters' attempts to stop Dame Ndoye after 40 minutes ended in a penalty when the striker was felled in the box.

Gronkjaer calmly planted the spot-kick into the bottom left corner, and threatened to score again five minutes later with a fierce drive which was well held by Isaksson.

FCK looked just as lively at the start of the second half and Isaksson tipped a Vingaard free-kick over the crossbar before Ndoye poked the subsequent corner wide of the right post.

Home goalkeeper Johan Wiland had had little to do so far but was equal to his first real challenge after 54 minutes, claiming a swerving strike from Danko Lazovic.

The chance should have served as a warning for the home side but they failed to heed it and PSV were back on level terms after 71 minutes when Lazovic supplied the cross for Balazs Dzsudzsak to force home.

It was a sucker punch for FCK, who had done most of the running in the match. And they should have snatched the points five minutes from time but Ndoye's header from Wendt's corner was swept off the line by defender Francisco Rodriguez.