Europe » Rest Of Europe

Belgian First Division Round-Up: Anderlecht Extend Their Lead

Ariel Jacobs' side now boast a five point advantage at the summit of the league...

Nov 23, 2009 10:28:16 AM

Mbark Boussoufa, Anderlecht (foto PRO SHOTS)

Photo Gallery

Zoom

Mbark Boussoufa, Anderlecht (foto PRO SHOTS)

Teams

KAA Gent 2 – 1 Standard Liège
Anderlecht 3 – 1 Roeselare
Westerlo 1 – 0 Lokeren
Sint Truiden 1 – 1 Cercle Brugge
Mouscron 4 – 1 Charleroi
Club Brugge 1 – 2 Germinal Beerschot
Zulte Waregem 4 – 1 KV Mechelen
Kortrijk 2 – 1 KRC Genk

KAA Gent 2 – 1 Standard Liege

Yves Leterme may be on course to once again become Belgian Prime Minister, but not even his presence at the Jules Ottenstadion could prevent his beloved champions from crashing to a defeat in Gent. The Buffaloes had revenge on their minds after Standard’s win had denied them the third spot on the final day of last season and they duly achieved it as they notched up a second win in succession.

The start of the match had been overshadowed by protest from Standard fans over ticket prices, however this backfired as they missed the opening goal after four minutes. Dalmat’s corner in was headed towards goal by Cyriac, and Jorgacevic’s fumble allowed the ball to cross the line. Nevertheless, Mangala smashed the ball into the net to make sure. Standard continued to be positive and had several chances to grab a second.

Unfortunately for the guests, that was as good as it got. Gent grew in confidence and both Roberto Rosales and Mbaye Leye shot wide. It seemed a question of when Gent would score, not if. The deserved equaliser came from a free kick from Bosnian striker Adnan Custovic, which was met by French midfielder Christophe Lepoint, who rose superbly to guide the ball high past Sinan Bolat into the net.

The goal really spurred the Buffaloes on and a wonderfully worked counterattack ended in shot from left-back Hanstveit being well saved by Bolat. The Norwegian was only playing due to an injury to Kenny Thompson and he took his chance to impress his coach. He continued to get forward into dangerous positions in the second half and his cross just evaded Leye. It dropped instead to Rosales, who came inside on his left foot and found Custovic at the far post. The Bosnian’s flick-on towards Ljubijankic forced the challenge from Felipe, who fouled the Slovenian in what was rather a soft penalty to give away.

A sense of déjà vu now engulfed the stadium as Mbaye Leye stepped up, this time at the other end from where Bryan Ruiz famously missed, and it appeared that Bolat was once again the hero as he guessed the right away and saved the spot kick. This time, however, the referee decided that the former Genk stopper had come too quickly off his line and ordered a retake.

Home coach Michel Preud’homme, a genuine world-class goalkeeper in his day, managed to ignore the hysteria and ordered Custovic to step up this time. The gaffer was vindicated as the Bosnian sent Bolat the wrong way for what would prove to be the winning goal.

This sent the home fans into raptures and one got the sense that this had been the game they’d been looking forward to this term more than any other.

Unusually for Standard in a big game, they had no answer and their frustrations boiled over at the end as scuffles broke out between the two sets of players.

Les Rouches now sit ten points off Anderlecht and just one place above Gent in fourth. Steven Defour cannot return soon enough.

Anderlecht 3 – 1 Roeselare

Any hopes Roeselare may have had of pulling of a shock were swiftly ended when, for the second successive game, Anderlecht opened the scoring via a fortunate rebound from the woodwork.

On this occasion it was an outstanding effort from Mbark Boussoufa that cannoned against the post and into the path of wannabe striker Roland Juhasz, who couldn’t hide his delight. In truth, he knew little about it, but like all good strikers, he found himself in the right place at the right time. The goalkeeper, still mesmerised from the initial free kick, was helpless to prevent the goal.

Tom de Sutter has recently been in the shadow of his fellow colleague Romelu Lukaku, but he showed that he too can conjure up moments of skill. His Cruyff turn to create some space just outside the box almost resulted in a second goal, but the former Cercle man fired inches wide.

A third long-range attempt from Paars-Wit brought about the second goal in quite comical circumstances. Boussoufa had a hopeful punt from just outside the 'D' that looked to be heading straight into the arms of visiting keeper Sierens. The goalkeeper, however, lost the ball and in trying to relocate it inadvertently diverted it over the line. No matter how much the Roeselare stopper will want to forget his blunder, it will no doubt be replayed for years to come.

Boussoufa almost scored again, but his volley from a Jelle van Damme cross crashed against the base of the post. In the previous match against Genk, the Moroccan magician had set up Lukaku for the clinching goal, and the double act renewed acquaintances as the giant Antwerp-born striker turned like a ballet dancer inside the six-yard box and fired home into the roof of the net. For a player to be blessed with such speed of movement allied to such an imposing physical stature is very rare indeed, and the Anderlecht management will have to watch him carefully. However, it will be a brave manager who rests a player who has scored in five consecutive matches.

Anderlecht were kept on their toes after Roeselare managed an unexpected goal. The home defence allowed midfielder Bjarni Vidarsson a free header in a rare moment of sloppiness from the best back line in Belgium this season. That was the second goal in as many games for the Icelander and his contribution from midfield looks set to be a key factor in whether Roeselare survive.

Thereafter, Anderlecht dominated the game and Lukaku almost scored with a close range effort after he had somehow evaded two defenders inside the area.

Indeed, the biggest problem for the hosts was the red card for Boussoufa in the second half after a handball earned him a second yellow. Despite the heated protests from his team-mates, it was clearly deliberate as indicated by the replays and a show of petulance that manager Ariel Jacobs will hope doesn’t cost his team in the coming games. Nevertheless, Anderlecht will be content in the knowledge that they are once again Autumn champions, ten points clear of Standard.

Westerlo 1 – 0 Lokeren

De Kempenaren ensured there was to be no late heartbreak as they clinched a win that puts breathing space between themselves and the relegation places.

They started brightly, with main creative force Oleksandr Iakovenko forcing a smart save from keeper Jugoslav Lazic.

Lokeren’s first real chance came from a spectacular overhead kick from top scorer Malki, but it was straight at the keeper. The Syrian then hit the bar with a close range header.

Westerlo piled on the pressure and veteran Niko van Kerckhoven spurned a particularly good chance when his volley was straight at Lazic.

A double change from visiting manager Jacky Mathijssen almost worked wonders when substitute Sulejman Smajic had a go from just outside the box, but his shot was over.

Iakovenko had been banging away at the door all match and finally he forced it open. His teasing shot ricocheted off the crowd of players and though Lazic had kept his side in the game, he made a mess of the rebound, not that goalscorer Jef Delen was complaining.

Westerlo were quite fortunate to hang on, as Lokeren bombarded the goal in the dying minutes. Despite some good chances for Smajic, Sanrahib Malki and Dawid Janczyk, the visitors fell just short.

Sint-Truiden 1 – 1 Cercle Brugge

“At long last,” they’ll all be saying in Sint-Truiden as De Kanaries finally ended their seven game losing streak with a morale-boosting point at home to fellow mid-table side Cercle Brugge.

The home outfit showed no signs of a lack of confidence in the beginning, with striker Ibrahima Sidibe having two opportunities early on.

Cercle hit back and had a Bozovic goal ruled out for offside, much to the dismay of the visiting fans, who waved their flags enthusiastically throughout.

Midfielder Vuzamuzi Nyoni almost caught Simon Mignolet napping with a quickly taken free kick, but the 'keeper recovered just in time.

As both sides contrived to somehow spurn some excellent chances to break the deadlock, it seemed the game was heading for 0-0.

One of the earlier culprits then made amends – Peter Delorge coolly slotting home with his left foot beyond the onrushing Jo Coppens. The relief could be seen on the face of every Sint-Truiden fan but they didn’t go home celebrating a win as 11 minutes later, Nyoni converted a Iachtchouk cross to ensure both teams shared the spoils.

Mouscron 4 – 1 Charleroi

While Mouscron go into every match in the knowledge it could be their last, new Charleroi manager Tommy Craig also has a sizeable task on his hands as Les Zebres were well and truly thumped by their fellow relegation battlers.

This match was billed as a duel between hitmen Jaycee and Cyril Thereau. It immediately swing in favour of the Bahrainian, who eluded three defenders before smashing the ball home from 20 yards. If he ever finds himself out of favour as a striker, he could always turn his hand to gymnastics, as his exuberant celebration showed.

Charleroi hit back when former Anderlecht striker Thereau equalised from a penalty after Mahamadou Habibou was fouled by Jeremy Sapina. Before the spot kick could be taken, Habibou and Thereau squabbled over who would take it, which evoked memories of Standard duo Milan Jovanovic and Axel Witsel.

Mouscron retook the lead after Jaycee sent Guillaume Francois clear and the financially bereft club didn’t look back. Francois returned the compliment with a piercing through ball, and Jaycee was never going to make any mistake, though he injured himself celebrating his second. Mouscron scored a fourth through the Bahrainian’s replacement, Robert Maah.

Club Brugge 1 – 2 Germinal Beerschot

Germinal Beerschot had never beaten one of Belgium’s big three away from home since the merger in 1999 between KFC Germinal Ekeren and K.Beerschot VAC. That was before Saturday night, when they snatched a dramatic win in thrilling circumstances, condemning former league leaders Club Brugge to a second straight defeat.

The home side started on the front foot and a well-directed header from Vargas forced an outstanding full-length diving save from Pacovski.

GBA had a chance not long after when Faris Haroun had his shot saved after some good interplay from Sherjill McDonald and Tosin Dosunmu, rightly restored to the starting line up after an excellent substitute appearance against Sint-Truiden.

For the second time in the half, Pacovski then had to deny Vargas, who somehow got the shot away despite a number of desperate GBA challenges.

Antonin Alcaraz didn’t enjoy the best of times in his previous match against Standard and he had another horror-show moment after the resumption. A cross from Haroun across the edge of the six-yard box drew Stijnen off his line. Paraguayan defender Alcaraz also slid in for the ball and in the end neither made any contact. McDonald was on hand to fire home into the unguarded net, sparking the famous baby-cradle celebration from the 1994 World Cup in tribute to Colombian midfielder Daniel Cruz, who recently became a father.

It didn’t get any better for Alcaraz, whose petulant kick out at Dosunmu left the referee no option but to give the South American his marching orders.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Brugge equalised from a corner which wasn’t cleared properly. Mohamed Dahmane managed to find enough space to first flick the ball over the oncoming defenders and then to beat Pacovski from close range.

As the game ticked towards a draw, GBA began to press and make their man advantage count. McDonald had a shot cleared off the line, by attacker Ivan Perisic of all people. The former AGOVV was having a superb match in tandem with Tosin, and the two combined in stoppage time.

McDonald bided his time then spotted the run of his strike partner, finding him with a delightful reverse ball. Dosunmu fired home the winner, and the men from Antwerp finally had their first away win against one of the big boys.

The management have backed coach Adrie Koster, but the supporters will want both a return to form and a speedy resolution to the club’s stadium problems.

Zulte Waregem 4 – 1 KV Mechelen

If this clash of the Flemish sides was supposed to be close, no-one told Zulte Waregem. Essevee were quickly out of the blocks, scoring inside the first ten minutes through Ludwin van Nieuwenhuyze, though in the light of events in Paris earlier this week, in particularly controversial circumstances. The midfielder diverted a Berrier corner past Mechelen 'keeper Olivier Renard with his hand.

Danish midfielder Stefan Ernemann won a spot in coach Francky Dury’s XI for this game and, though he missed a gilt-edged chance after eighteen minutes, two minutes later he made amends and repaid the confidence shown in him by doubling the score. An incisive move that began with Ernest Nfor playing in Teddy Chevalier ended up in the top-scorer putting the ball on a plate for the Dane to slot home.

The home side were so dominant that Mechelen only had their first real chance after 41 minutes, but not to be disheartened, they hit back halfway through the second half. Striker Aloys Nong scored on the turn after being set up by Anton Dunkovic.

However, this only served to drive the hosts on to better things and they scored two in two minutes. First, Nfor played Chevalier in again and unmarked he made no mistake. Two minutes later, Ernemann controlled the ball brilliantly and his effort left Renard with no chance.

A big win this as Zulte aim for a place in the Championship play-offs.

Kortrijk 2 - 1 KRC Genk

Kortrijk consolidated their place in the top half with an excellent comeback win at home to more illustrious opponents Genk.

It didn’t start off well for the home side, who were going into this game unbeaten in five. Belgian international Thomas Buffel knocked home a clever flick on from the imposing Senegalese striker Moussa Koita.

The first-half saw some good football from both sides, and Kortrijk deservedly got back on level terms just before the break thanks to Christian Benteke. The young striker is on loan from Standard and he netted his third of the season after a pinpoint accurate cross from Jimmy Hempte.

Both sides continued to attack as they pushed for all three points and it was Genk who looked the more likely to come away with the win. However, in the closing stages, the balance of the game swung once more.

Kortrijk rightly had a penalty shout turned down after an excellent challenge from young German defender Torben Joneleit in the area on Savaneh Ibou.

Four minutes later, Serbian midfielder Nebojsa Pavlovic stabbed the ball home from close range beyond Genk keeper Verhulst from a corner.

Kortrijk may not have the big names of Genk, but to their credit they worked very hard and pressed their opponents high up the pitch and will feel they got the reward their endeavours deserved. They are now six unbeaten.

Genk manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck won’t have enjoyed his return to his old club and needs to rally the troops if Genk are to be in contention for a top six spot, something which really should be a minimum for a club of their stature.

Gary Niblock, Goal.com

Thank you for your comment!

Please enter your name

Please enter your location

Please share your comment!