23 October 2006, by Marco Pereira

Manuel da Costa strike helps propel PSV up to second

AZ Alkmaar 1-3 PSV Eindhoven

PSV Eindhoven’s young Portuguese starlet, Manuel da Costa Trindade, bagged a goal on his full league debut as he helped propel his club to a 3-1 win away to AZ Alkmaar and keep pace with leaders, Ajax.

Portuguese football fans will be familiar with the name AZ Alkmaar as they were the club that disposed of Sporting Braga 3-0 earlier in the week in the UEFA Cup.

It did not take long for PSV to stake their claim for victory as da Costa opened the scoring as early as the 12th minute.

Perhaps still on a high from their midweek demolition job on Braga, AZ suffered two more goals before the break as Mendez and one time Benfica target Arouna Kone bagged a goal apiece.

AZ’s De Zeeuw pulled one back in the 71st minute, but it proved too little too late as PSV had the game well won beforehand.

The loss comes as a blow to AZ as they now fall further behind Ajax who routed rivals Feyenoord 4-0 away.

AZ Alkmaar:
Diulcia, de Cler, Jaliens, Opdam, Steinsson, De Zeeuw, Martens (Kovermans, 58), Mendes da Silva, Schaars (Donk, 67), Arveladze, Demble
Yellow Cards: De Zeeuw (37)

PSV Eindhoven:
Gomes, Alex, Da Costa Trindade, Kromkamp, Salcido, Afellay (Culina, 67), Cocu, Mendez, Simons, Farfan (Beerens, 86), Kone
Yellow Cards: Cocu (26)

Goals:
[0-1] da Costa, 12
[0-2] Mendez, 45
[0-3] Kone, 45
[1-3] De Zeeuw, 71