Reigning champions PSV have so far endured a difficult season and with any hopes of retaining their title long gone, they have now refocused on claiming a place in Europe.

Today's win moves them closer to that target as they closed the gap behind fourth-placed Heerenveen, who drew 1-1 at Heracles Almelo, to three points.

Defeat for Sparta - their fifth reverse in six league matches - leaves them in the relegation play-off places, with crucial matches against fellow cellar-dwellers ADO Den Haag, FC Volendam and De Graafschap next on their fixture list.

A forgettable opening half-hour had passed before Sparta goalkeeper Cassio almost handed the visitors a gift of an opener.

The goalkeeper failed to grasp what had seemed a routine save and had to be bailed out by Ruud Knol who cleared the ball away for a corner.

The opening goal arrived with 41 minutes on the clock and came from a slick PSV passing move.

Ibrahim Afellay slid a pass through to Edison Mendez who then found space to deliver the ball to Dzsudzsak who unleashed a right-footed shot into the top-left corner of the goal.

PSV grabbed a second goal four minutes later when Toivonen finished a quick counter-attack.

Sparta striker Rydell Poepon forced Andreas Isaksson into a punched save which served to stimulate the counter-attack which culminated in Toivonen netting.

Sparta's best chance came eight minutes after half-time when Joshua John's cross to the far post found Edouard Duplan whose header was well saved by Isaksson.

From then on PSV kept their hosts at bay. The visitors could have had a third goal, but for a good double save from Cassio who first denied a long-range Mendez shot before blocking Dzsudzsak's follow-up with his feet.