THE HAGUE, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Eredivisie leaders PSV booked an emphatic 4-0 win at AZ in Alkmaar on Sunday night to end 2023 with their 16th consecutive league victory.
Peter Bosz's men made a convincing start. After a foul by AZ goalkeeper Hobie Verhulst on Malik Tillman, PSV were awarded an early penalty, converted by Luuk de Jong in the ninth minute.
After a combination with De Jong, Ismael Saibari produced the second goal two minutes later, and left-back Sergino Dest made it 3-0 in the 16th minute.
In the second half, De Jong pocketed his second goal by heading in a cross from the left by Saibari. Then, PSV lowered the pace of the game and saw the result out.
Winning all 16 league matches since the start of the season, PSV are closing in on the Eredivisie record of 17 straight wins, which was also set by PSV in the 1987-1988 season under coach Guus Hiddink.
Earlier on Sunday, reigning Dutch champions Feyenoord trounced Heracles 4-0 in Almelo, FC Twente drew 2-2 at Sparta Rotterdam, and Ajax drew 2-2 with PEC Zwolle in Amsterdam.
After the final matches before the winter break, PSV lead the table with 48 points. It has been a remarkable first half of the season for the Eindhoven club who have also reached the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
Feyenoord are second with 38 points, followed by FC Twente (34), AZ (33) and Ajax (25). The Eredivisie resumes on January 12, 2024. ■
