In the end it boiled down to a question of class.

Just as they have flexed their muscles and routed lesser opposition this summer, Ipswich Town received a taste of their own pre-season medicine.

And with the Blues' return to Europe now just five weeks away, this defeat - their first in six matches - served as a timely reminder of what lies in store.

At least Ipswich can rest assured they were beaten by one of the best sides in club football. For long spells, PSV looked a truly class act.

Supremely confident and assertive in possession, the Dutch champions stroked the ball around gracefully and ran out worthy winners.

With players like Mateja Kezman and Adil Ramzi a constant menace, it's not difficult to see why they won their league at a canter last term.

But despite missing the talents of Pablo Counago, Tommy Miller and Andy Marshall, Town created enough opportunities to give the score an altogether different complexion.

Apart from a couple of exceptions, Town fielded the starting line-up likely to begin in the Premiership curtain-raiser at Sunderland a week on Saturday.

Marshall will presumably replace Keith Branagan while Jim Magilton should return in midfield, probably at the expense of Jamie Clapham.

Certainly the defensive quartet of Chris Makin, Hermann Hreidarsson, John McGreal and Titus Bramble look assured of their places, as do strikers Stewart and Armstrong.

Saturday's midfield of Jermaine Wright, Martijn Reuser, Matt Holland and Clapham missed the bite and passing range that Magilton provides, though.

Both sides squeezed their best moments of the opening half into a handful of minutes, with Ipswich first to seize the initiative after a lacklustre start.

Armstrong found himself in a one-on-one with the keeper after scampering on to Stewart's deft touch, only to see his drive blocked by Ronald Waterreus.

The loose ball was pushed out to Clapham and his teasing cross was acrobatically rifled into the side-netting by Armstrong.

PSV found their stride in the minutes before half-time with Bramble twice making timely interceptions and Branagan pushing away an effort by Kezman.

Ipswich's defence was less marshalled ten minutes after the break, though, when Kevin Hofland ghosted in at the near-post to nod home Ramzi's corner.

That goal proved a defining moment as PSV asserted their authority with renewed vigour.

It was only a matter of time before they doubled their lead and Arnold Bruggink duly obliged 11 minutes from the end.

Dennis Rommedahl fed him in the box and the striker unleashed a curling right-foot effort which sailed beyond Branagan.

PSV finished worthy winners but it's impossible to read too much into the result, given the context of a pre-season friendly.

Certainly this Ipswich display - more low key than low standard - should have little in common with the performance at Sunderland.

Town fans will be hoping the same applies to the score.

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