Danny Koevermans smashed an away goal to put PSV Eindhoven in charge of their UEFA Cup quarter-final after a deserved first-leg 1-1 draw at Fiorentina.

The hosts took the lead on 56 minutes when the ball rebounded in off striker Adrian Mutu after PSV goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes had made a block following Giampaolo Pazzini's flick-on.

The Dutch champions soon lost Gomes to a serious-looking leg injury but were always in the game and equalised when striker Koevermans blasted in following a superb threaded pass from Ibrahim Afellay on 63 minutes.

Fiorentina, fourth in Serie A, threw on Christian Vieri in a bid for a winner but PSV repelled sustained late pressure and are favourites for next Thursday's second leg in Eindhoven.

The game started brightly with Romania's Mutu, back from suspension, going close for the hosts and Koevermans forcing keeper Sebastien Frey into a smart save.

The rest of the first half was poor in comparison although Fiorentina defender Tomas Ujfalusi had a sharp shot saved and Pazzini should have done better with a header.

The home side, who beat Everton on penalties in the last round, lacked imagination in the final third.

Smarting from Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Udinese in the race for a Champions League spot, Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli stuck with his three-pronged attack but third striker Mario Santana was anonymous for much of the match.

The Dutch league leaders, who knocked out Tottenham Hotspur on penalties in the last 16, defended tidily and threatened sporadically.

Fiorentina continually pumped the ball into the area after Koevermans' goal but were never close to scoring in eight minutes of added time.

PSV forward Jefferson Farfan will miss the second leg after a booking.

Reuters