Early strikes leave PSV on pole

PSV Eindhoven took control of their UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie against Helsingborgs IF with a 2-0 home win in Wednesday's first leg.

First-half strikes
Timmy Simons fired the Dutch champions ahead from the penalty spot after seven minutes and Danko Lazović doubled the lead 12 minutes before the break, but the Eredivisie leaders could not add further goals in the second half.

Blistering start
PSV started at a ferocious pace and would have gone ahead in the fifth minute had Daniel Andersson not tipped over Balázs Dzsudzsák's strike from the edge of the area. Helsingborg's reprieve was short-lived, just two minutes, as Andersson fouled Lazović in the area and club captain Simons tucked the penalty away. The setback kicked the Swedish side into action and Razak Omotoyossi's shot from eleven metres forced PSV keeper Heurelho Gomes to save with his feet.

End-to-end
The Brazilian was also on hand three minutes later to hold another strike from Omotoyossi before Martin Kolář went close from just outside the box. PSV reacted through Ibrahim Afellay who followed up his shot against the post with an assist for the second goal, his effort ending up at the feet of Lazović who placed his finish into the top-right corner from 12 metres.

Second-half calm
In contrast to the hectic nature of the first period, the second half was a far less energetic affair and neither goalkeeper was given much to worry about. René Makondele sent a right-footed effort over the bar after an hour and Ólafur Ingi Skúlason fired over from inside the box with 19 minutes to play. Dzsudzsák shot wide from a free-kick at the other end, but PSV will take a two-goal advantage to Sweden when the sides contest the second leg a week on Thursday.