Anderlecht back on title course

Anderlecht beat Bruges today with 3-1 and rank second now, on two points of leader Ghent that didn't come further than a 1-1 draw against Charleroi. This means that the Mauves have everything in their own hands again.


Anderlecht started furiously. After just 50 seconds of play Najar already scored the 1-0 after a long pass of Defour over 40 meters. The Mauves continued to develop pressure and had two more excellent chances through Deschacht (with a header on a corner kick) and Praet (with an effort from distance). Bruges had their first chance after 28 minutes and this was the sign for them to develop a lot of pressure. Anderlecht needed a good Davy Roef, who replaced the suspended Proto, to keep the lead on the scoreboard. The home team could not break through Brugian pressure and Roef made a handful of world class saves.

The second half brought more of the same. Bruges had the initiative, but the goal fell on the other side. Mitrovic headed the 2-0 against the net on a corner kick. Najar could have finished the match a few minutes later, but this time he was stopped by keeper Ryan.

When Refaelov was able to dribble through the Anderlecht defence, he scored the 2-1. But it didn't really spark the fire for the visitors, that had already used a lot of energy. Bruges had more ball possession though, but the home side lurked on the counter attack. Najar and Acheampong forgot to score, so the game remained exciting. Up until the last minutes, when Praet eventually made the third goal of the afternoon: 3-1.