Dnipro get better of PSV

Dnipro got their Europa League campaign off to the perfect start as two second-half goals saw them get the better of PSV in Ukraine.

Dnipro got their Europa League campaign off to the perfect start as two second-half goals saw them get the better of PSV in Ukraine. The first 45 minutes had been a rather drab affair but the home side took the lead early in the second half when Brazilian forward Matheus headed the opener in off the woodwork. The win was sealed eight minutes later when Atiba Hutchinson put through his own net from Giuliano's cross. Yevhen Konoplyanka tested PSV goalkeeper Boy Waterman in the early going as the home side started brightly without managing to craft much in the way of clear-cut chances. Belgium winger Dries Mertens curled an effort wide after cutting in from the left for the visitors, while Konoplyanka also failed to hit the target at the other end. Konoplyanka was proving lively, and Waterman had to be alert to again deny the midfielder just past the half hour mark, while Mertens wasted a presentable chance after a sharp PSV counter-attack. Kevin Strootman had PSV's first effort on target a few minutes before the interval, but Jan Lastuvka in the Dnipro goal made a comfortable stop. It was the hosts who took the lead five minutes into the second half. A long punt downfield from Lastuvka was missed by Timothy Derijck to allow Matheus to direct a header over Waterman and in off the underside of the crossbar. The size of the task facing PSV doubled just eight minutes later. Giuliano evaded Strootman down the right flank, and his fierce low ball across the box was diverted into his own net by Hutchinson. PSV appeared shell-shocked and it took them until the 73rd minute to come close to pulling a goal back but Jeremain Lens was wide of the goal with his effort from the edge of the area. Ola Toivonen went close to finding the net but his strike whistled just wide of the post, while Strootman had his close-range shot blocked to conclude a miserable night for the Dutch side.