PSV returned to Eredivisie action with a 2-0 victory over SC Heerenveen on Friday night, but the scoreline does not tell the full story.

Peter Bosz’s side were made to work hard for the three points at the Philips Stadion. Heerenveen created several excellent opportunities; PSV survived a couple of contentious refereeing decisions and eventually secured a clean sheet before turning their attention to Tuesday’s Champions League trip to RB Leipzig.

Here are three things we learned from the victory.

PSV may have kept their first clean sheet of the season, but the defensive performance was far from flawless.

Heerenveen created three clear opportunities inside the opening 20 minutes through Maxence Rivera alone. The French forward fired wide, forced Matej Kovar into a save and then missed a huge one-on-one chance.

The visitors continued to threaten after PSV took the lead, with Marcus Linday also wasting a major opportunity before the break.

After half-time, PSV survived further scares as Dylan Vente, Chortens and others failed to punish mistakes in the home defence.

The clean sheet will matter, but the underlying issue remains. PSV conceded too many chances and relied on Heerenveen’s poor finishing to keep the score at 0-0 before Til’s opener.

With Ricardo Pepi, Alassane Pléa and Sam Lammers unavailable, Bosz again had to find a solution in the striker position.

Guus Til stepped into the role and delivered.

The Netherlands international opened the scoring in the 29th minute, reacting quickest after Bernt Klaverboer failed to properly clear Esmir Bajraktarevic’s cross.

It was Til’s fifth Eredivisie goal in eight matches this season, putting him on course for his most productive league campaign.

His previous best came with Feyenoord, when he scored 15 league goals in 2021/22. With PSV currently short of recognised strikers, Til has another chance to contribute significantly in front of goal.

His instinct inside the box was again decisive for PSV to take the lead and ultimately gain control over the proceedings.

Bosz made several changes as the game developed, and the second-half substitutions helped PSV take control.

Ivan Perisic and Filip Kostić were introduced, with Kostić involved in the second goal. His header from Perisic’s corner crossed the line via Linday to make it 2-0.

There was also an encouraging moment for PSV’s academy pathway.

Eighteen-year-old Shuryjano Cornecion came on in the 82nd minute to make his first-team debut after impressing with Jong PSV.

Sergiño Dest also deserves mention. Having played for the United States only days earlier and travelled across time zones, he completed the full match.

PSV now have three days to recover before travelling to Germany for their Champions League meeting with RB Leipzig. The Heerenveen victory was hard-earned, but it gives Bosz a platform to build from.