Anderlecht wins its second game in a row

GAMES Anderlecht did what it had to do: win against Ostend. A 2-0 lead provided some more peace in an intense game, but due to individual errors, Ostend came back into the game and Anderlecht again had to finish the last minutes of the game in cold sweat. This time, however, Purple & White kept the lead and retains the necessary connection with the sub top.


The first half was intense with a fast pace from both teams. Ostend claimed possession of the ball, but got no chances. After fifteen minutes, Anderlecht threatened for the first time. Amuzu saw Vlap standing in the sixteen, but the Dutchman kicked a little too centrally so that Hubert could save. Moments later, Anderlecht took the lead. Nmecha recovered the ball, kick the ball nicely into the nets. 1-0 for the Purple & White.

Ostend tried to react and regularly searched the depth, but there were no real opportunities. Anderlecht was especially dangerous through Amuzu, who showed some good runs. Just after half an hour, Ait El Hadj could almost score and five minutes later Sambi Lokonga kicked wide after a counter attack. On the other side, Anderlecht got away well when the ball was sloppily cleared after a counter by Ostend. Anderlecht deservedly led at half-time, although, as is often the case, they lacked some finesse to make the right decision from an offensive point of view.

Just after half time, Murillo headed over the goal after a free kick of Amuzu, but Ostend continued the momentum it had before the break, but it was without any chances. Anderlecht was dangerous from time to time. Mukairu pulled in from the wing and combined centrally with Ait El Hadj and Nmecha before being hooked in the penalty area. Penalty for Anderlecht and again for Nmecha who defeated Hubert with a 'Panenka'.

On the hour the physically strong Gueye was able to beat Lissens twice for the first time. His hard header went wide and a retro ended up too centrally in the hands of Wellenreuther. Ostend certainly did not give in, as it knew that defending a lead is not really the strongest point of this Anderlecht. Kompany brought the young Norwegian Arnstad for Vlap.

After a bad control, Lissens hit D'Arpino with a straight leg in minute 68. Van Damme gave the red card to the young defender who nevertheless played a good game. Kompany immediately took his only central defender off the bench and brought in Sardella. Arnstad lost the ball, allowing Hulsager to kick hard and just wide. Young Anderlecht had to go back and lurked on the counter. Theate tried from very far and the floating ball had to be saved by Wellenreuther. Because it is almost Christmas anyway, Anderlecht decided to give a present to Ostend. Bad communication at the back and Mykhailychenko surprised Wellenreuther with a header. McGeehan was quick and was able to kick in. 

After a weak intervention by Wellenreuther, there was another scrimmage in front of goal, but Ostend was unable to frame the ball. Two minutes before the end, Bataille had all the time to cross, but substitute Ndicka kicked the last opportunity for Ostend into the side net. After all, an outbreak by Amuzu provided the necessary breathing space so that this time Anderlecht was not embarrassed in the last minutes.

With the necessary effort and after individual mistakes, Anderlecht managed to get a second victory in a row, which means that it remains in line with the subtop of the standings. It must realize that the offensive depends enormously on Nmecha. A lesser match, injury or suspension of the German striker makes Anderlecht weaker offensively.

The difficult game to Charleroi awaits on Friday.

Score: 2-1
Goal(s): 1-0 Nmecha ('18), 2-0 Nmecha (pen '58), 2-1 McGeehan ('83)

Anderlecht: Wellenreuther, Murillo, Lissens, Delcroix, Mykhailychenko, Sambi Lokonga, Ait El Hadj, Vlap (Arnstad '63), Amuzu, Mukairu (Sardella '70), Nmecha
Ostend: Hubert, Hendry, Theate, Jäkel, Bataille, Skulason (Kvasina '71), D'Arpino, Marquet (McGeehan '71), Hjulsager, D'Haese (Ndicka '82), Guye

Yellow: Jäkel ('89), Ndicka ('90 +)
Red: Lissens ('68)

Referee: Kevin Van Damme
Stadium: Lotto Park