Reactions after topmatch

Here are many after-match reactions from both sides. Let us first give the word to Tihinen, Anderlecht's saviour: "This is the most important goal in my career".

"I had already scored a crucial goal against Lyon in Champions' League but this one gives us our ticket for the Champions' League".

Was this goal Tihinen adieu's present to Anderlecht? "I do not know. If I leave, this is not because I do not like Anderlecht. The sphere after the match was great".

And what does he says about his goal? "I knew I had to take my chance on this free-kick. I did it very well".

For Peersman, it was his come-back after his big mistake in Sint-Truiden. His prestation was not perfect but Vercuateren gives him a good note. He did not celebrate yesterday evening the victory with the team because his wife had just given birth to a little daughter, Chantal, just before the match.

Jestrovic has not scored but the three points are the most important. "Scoring three goals to this defense is a very good job! It was nail-biting to follow the last few minutes from the bench but I believed in Tihinen. Now, we can look ahead and it would be really great to go to Brugge for the title. They still have to play against teams that need points, so you never know".

Vanderaeghe is more realistic: "Ten weeks ago, the second place was in danger. Now the difference with Brugge is temporarily of 3 points, everybody is dreaming of the title. Honestly, I do not think that Brugge will spoil points, they are too clever for that. This year we have won almost top matches, unlike last year. However we became champion".

Deman, Vercauteren's surprise, did it quite well with Kompany and Tihinen. "Vercauteren called me at noon to tell me I would play. I am satisfied with my match. At first, the coach thought to place me in the midfield with Vanderaeghe. I am really having fun since Vercauteren has become coach".

Let us now give the word to the two coaches, beginning with the defeated, Dominique D'Onofrio: "It is a great deception, of course. We could have deserved one point but Anderlecht were globally superior to us. We have made a perfect start but Kompany's goal cut off our legs. It was then very hard for us to get out and we lost two many balls. The second goal is a result of that. Moreover we made too many fouls near our 16 meters".

Vercauteren wants to congratulate first all his players: "Congratulations to my players! The football gods have maybe helped us a little bit but we deserved to win anyway: we did everything we could to win. This our apology after last week's draw in La Louvière".

Vercauteren also wants to congratulate Standard: "If all teams had always the same spirit, we would see more often such great football matches. I want to congratulate Standard and I understand, without hypocrisy, their deception."

What is now Vercauteren's new goal? "Now we are sure of the second place. We can now look ahead. We cannot loose anything anymore".