3-2: Anderlecht End The Year on a Positive Note

Anderlecht won its home game against Mons 3-2. A victory that should help the team recover from the blows dealt by Club Bruges and Getafe this past week. The club enters the winter break with the hope of finding its form back.


Anderlecht were hoping to finish the year with a convincing win against bottom-ranked Mons. It proved to be a difficult game: more than half the pitch was frozen. On top of that, injury forced changes into Jacobs' side; at least seven players were unavailable.

The team started eagerly and were looking for an early goal on a pitch that made it difficult to play. Nevertheless, Anderlecht got what it was looking for. Vadis, who replaced the cold-stricken Bart Goor, managed to lock on an Mpenza pass and defeated Mons and ex-Anderlecht keeper Herpoel to open the scoring.

Mons reacted almost immediately, however. Duarte made a long run on the left and found Zoko. The lone striker was given too much space by the Anderlecht defense and easily put the ball past Zitka.

But again the home team claimed the advantage. Mpenza, who was given preference over Théréau, got past his marker and delivered an excellent cross. Hassan headed the ball into the back of the net. Five minutes later, a Wasilewski center got deflected into the goal by Mons defender Nibombé. Anderlecht went into the dressing room with a comfortable advantage, 3-1.

Anderlecht hoped to control the second half but did not succeed in widening the gap. It were the visitors, on the other hand, who brought back the tension. Zoko, who again was given too much space, defeated Zitka a second time.

Mons then pushed on but could not create any worthwhile chances. At the other end of the pitch, Hassan could have sealed the victory for the home team but failed to do so.

With the winter break ahead, Anderlecht claim three points and its slide down the Jupiler League stopped. With KAA Gent winning as well Anderlecht stay in 7th place.

Score: 3-2
Goal(s): 15' Vadis (0-1), 20' Zoko (1-1), 34' Hassan (2-1), 40' Nibombé '3-1), 55' Zoko (3-2)

Anderlecht:Zitka, Deschacht, De Man, Juhasz, Wasilewski, Van Damme, Biglia, Polak, Vadis (71' Théréau), Hassan, Mpenza (82' Sare)
Mons:Herpoel, Duarte, Nibombe (46' Datti), Jay, Mirri, Pistone, Cavalli (61' Brahami), Cordaro (87' Landu Tubi), Dalmat, Ragued, Zoko

Yellow cards: 41' Zoko
Red cards:

Referee: S. Bréda
Stadium: Constant Vanden Stock stadium