CSKA Moscow had to hold off a second-half PSV fightback to end a five-match winless home run in the Champions League group stages with a 3-2 victory over the Dutch champions.
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The hosts were cruising after a dominant first-half display and goals from Ahmed Musa and a double from Seydou Doumbia put them 3-0 up at halftime in the Group B encounter.
Doumbia helped his side to extend their lead by scoring a header in the 21st minute and the penalty in the 36th minute.
PSV showed by beating Manchester United on matchday one that they are a capable team – this result has not changed that.
PSV’s problems began as early as the seventh minute when a corner struck the stationary Joshua Brenet and the ball dropped kindly for Ahmed Musa to smash home from close range.
His inch-perfect cross picked out Doumbia, who headed past PSV keeper Jeroen Zoet.
But Doumbia wasted the opportunity to wrap up his hat-trick when he blazed the penalty way over the crossbar.
Leonid Slutski’s men immediately took the game to PSV, showing a greater amount of energy and desire.
The miss looked like it could prove costly as Phillip Cocu’s team finally came to life after the interval.
And Akinfeev’s unwanted record continued as Lestienne rewarded mounting PSV pressure on the hour when he turned home Adam Maher’s pass after good work by Davy Propper. PSV pushed hard for an equaliser, but their cause was undermined when Arias was dismissed for another foul on the lively Musa.
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“PSV must now dust themselves down and prepare for Sunday’s crucial Eredivisie encounter with Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena when they will be looking to secure the three points to close the gap on their opponents at the top of the league standings”.
