PSV Eindhoven 0 Arsenal 4: A Devastating display

Gilberto - The Daily Mirror headline was 'Quick Silva'

I managed to catch the game in a North London pub that was absolutely rammed, we watched thanks to a landlord who was able to access a Dutch TV channel. So a big two fingers to ITV and their schedulers.

Make no mistake PSV were a very decent team despite the score line. They gave us a serious contest and an even more serious kicking in the first half, but were blown away thanks to a spellbinding second half performance. We started brilliantly. Freddie central found Henry wide left with a great ball, Thierry sprinted forward and hit a perfect low cross into the path of Gilberto who stormed into the box to tap home. 0-1 and there were only 20 seconds on the clock. The pub erupted but thankfully I wasn't holding my glass at that point.

PSV responded with a goal that was disallowed, quite rightly, for handball. Then Kezman headed wide from close range with Dave flapping. As early as the 9th minute we lost Keown, replaced by Cygan, with what looked like a hamstring problem. Kezman scored an offside goal, which was at least two yards off but that didn't stop him berating the lino, what a mouth he had! Van Bommel hit Vieira hard, it could have been a red and should have been a yellow, but wasn't either. More hits followed on Freddie and Dennis as the Dutch clearly attempted to rough us up. Arsene was out telling the 4th official the time of day at this point. A Wiltord break almost found Ljungberg but was well cut out for a corner. Dennis was chopped Hofland (?) before Ooijer got a yellow for chopping down Pat.

Cygan settled quickly and cut out a dangerous ball with ease. Seaman was required to catch and did so neatly. Called upon again Dave this time made a great save to feet, a very important save. At the other end Sylvain was caught offside before Pat headed wide of their post. The clever young Brazilian Leandro replaced Vogel. Henry hit a cross to the keeper with the waiting Wiltord in space. More good Arsenal moves followed. Cygan conceded a free kick on the edge of our box which was fired well over. Lauren got a yellow for standing his ground as the player ran straight at him; a joke compared to what had gone on before. Another great diving headed flashed past Seaman's post as we lived somewhat dangerously.

Freddie - PSV couldn't live with his workrate

Rommerdahl's turn to axe Paddy. Blatant obstruction on Cole not given. Freddie hauled down by Ooijer, already booked, but no second card. Next up a player, Hofland (?) tried to kick Dennis from behind and injured himself. John made a remark about the pace of the game and was sure the Dutch couldn't keep it up, he was proved right. Three minutes of added time before the break as Marion miraculously emerged with another round of drinks from a throng of about a billion happy drinkers battling to the bar.

Cygan opened with a fine saving header that Dave came out to catch. Dennis looked just a tad off the pace that still varied between frenetic and subsonic. Freddie spoiled a great run with a poor cross. Great move by Pat, pure class but the keeper saved from Sylv. Vieira was putting on an immense display, absolutely World class. It was still being played at both ends though as Sol then Freddie cleared. Lauren found Wiltord and the Dutch conceded a corner that could have easily been an own goal. There were objects thrown at Thierry as he took a corner. The ref picked them up to make a good point. A fast break by Wiltord earned the Dutch another yellow as he was blatantly stopped by a foul.

Vieira fouled again and Dennis still looked off the pace but like everyone else was showing some good touches. Good Henry cross looking for Wiltord. Lucius on for Heintze. Brilliant play by Pat, who was showing power, skill, patience and the ability to keep ice cool under extreme provocation, he's got to be the best in the world at his job, got to be! Freddie dive - a six point dive I'd say and of course the free kick. Fine link play between Dennis and Ralph. We were now controlling the game and to prove it Lauren lost then regained possession. He hit a great ball through to Freddie who'd popped up on the right and took it on to drill it home at the far post. 0-2 and looking good, very good.

Tel bagged a pair, and toughed out the racist abuse

A Henry break set up Gilberto but it was wide. Cygan was growing into his role comfortably, his distribution looked very sure. Henry was flagged offside but I don't think so. Dennis almost through but won the corner, quickly followed by another. Great tackle by Pascal. Another PSV goal disallowed for offside but this time they didn't look to be, sad eh? Still 0-2. Kanu replaced Bergkamp for the last eleven minutes and immediately had an effect. Cygan won a ball on the half way line, held off his man and found Kanu who set up Henry for our third. 0-3 and with Dennis off we're flying.

We were immense. Another great attack carved them up. Sylvain on the right but cleared. Ljungberg replaced by Kolo. Pat fouled again. Campbell put in a great tackle. Campbell covers again. PSV blasted over before Wiltord put Henry away to score our 4th. 0-4 to the mighty Arsenal.

Europe brown your trousers the gunners are on a roll!