Feyenoord 2-3 PSV: Saibari hat-trick helps visitors cut gap to league leaders
PSV went joint top in the Eredivisie on Sunday with a dramatic win over Feyenoord, courtesy of a fine treble from Ismael Saibari.
Ismael Saibari bagged a sensational hat-trick as PSV edged Feyenoord in a thrilling 3-2 victory at De Kuip on Sunday, drawing level on points at the top of the Eredivisie.
Fresh off their emphatic Champions League win over Napoli, PSV dominated early proceedings and took the lead on the half-hour mark when Saibari controlled Mauro Junior's threaded throughball before calmly firing home with the outside of his boot.
Just minutes later, PSV survived a scare as Yarek Gasiorowski appeared to handle inside the box, but play was waved on before Ayase Ueda was felled in the area, with the referee dismissing Feyenoord's claims for a penalty.
Feyenoord came out firing after the break and drew themselves level five minutes into the second half through Luciano Valente, who drilled a magnificent, low, bouncing shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
But the hosts' joy was short-lived as Saibari added his second just a minute later, combining sweetly with Guus Til before rifling a powerful shot into the top-left corner to restore PSV's lead.
The Moroccan international then sealed his devilish hat-trick on the hour, latching onto Matej Kovar's flicked goal-kick before audaciously lobbing Timon Wellenreuther from the edge of the area.
But Feyenoord kept up the fight and cut the lead in the 73rd minute as Oussama Targhalline lasered a driven shot past Kovar, with Valente then squandering a golden chance to equalise from point-blank range just four minutes later.
Feyenoord remain top of the table, while PSV trail only by goal difference, with both sides on 25 points, six ahead of Ajax.
Data Debrief: Feyenorod falter in front of sensational Saibari
Sunday's defeat extended Feyenoord's winless streak against PSV to eight Eredivisie meetings (D3 L4) – their longest run without a victory over the Eindhoven side since a 10-match stretch between 1983 and 1987.
Despite their clinical finishing from range, Robin van Persie's side produced just 1.19 expected goals (xG), while PSV significantly outperformed their 1.31 xG thanks to a splendid performance from Saibari.
He now leads PSV's scoring charts with six league goals this season, having found the net with all three of his shots on target in Sunday's triumph.
