Beerschot showed signs of life in match week 10 of the Belgian Pro League, while Genk’s winning streak came undone at the hands of an unlikely source.
Westerlo 2-2 Beerschot
When Ryan Sanusi scored in the 80th minute, Beerschot fans would have been dreaming of a first three points of the season. However, Dirk Kuyt’s sides inability to defend came to the fore once again when just three minutes later they allowed Luka Vuskovic to grab his second of the game. It would have been a smash and grab win for Beerschot, who were grateful for a number of saves from goalkeeper Nick Shinton to deny the hosts.
KV Mechelen 5-0 OH Leuven
Frederico Ricca’s 12th minute red card clearly threw OH Leuven off their game. The side succumbed to a huge defeat that could have been even worse than 5-0. Nikola Storm provided two assists and Rob Schoofs was in excellent form for the hosts who took full advantage of their extra man. OH Leuven fans will be concerned with how easily the side folded following the red card. They have only won one of their previous five matches.
Kortrijk 2-1 Genk
A surprising result even after the match, Kortrijk were the ones to end the Genk winning streak. Despite having just 25% of the ball, Nachon Ferri’s two goals in the space of three minutes was the difference for the hosts. Genk will wonder how they did not score more of their 25 shots on goal against a side that had not won for five games. The away side remain top while Kortrijk pulled themselves out of the bottom four.
Dender 1-0 Charleroi
Much like the game before it, this game saw the side with all the chances and the ball lose out. Dender only had 30% of the ball, but Lennard hens’ free kick went in via an unlucky Mohamed Kone to give the home side all three points. Goalkeeper Michael Verrips was the hero for the newly promoted side with an impressive nine saves.
Anderlecht 3-0 Standard Liege
The classico looked more one sided on paper than it actually was. Standard had plenty of chances, finishing with 18 shots and an xG of 1.59. Anderlecht only had 10 and an xG of 0.84, but won by a clear margin. First half goals from Jan-Carlo Simic and Kasper Dolberg, followed by a late Anders Dreyer goal, gave the side from Brussels all the bragging rights in this one.
Antwerp 3-0 Cercle Brugge
Cercle Brugge were brought back down to earth after their European exploits. First half goals from Gyrano Kerk and Tjaronn Chery gave the home side a lead that, in truth, was not reflective of how the game had been going. Cercle had their chances, with 16 shots, but could not find a way beyond Senne Lammens. In the 83rd minute Jacob Ondrejka scored another great goal to make it 3-0 and another big win for Antwerp.
Club Brugge 1-1 Union St Gilloise
Franjo Ivanovic looked to have given Union a huge win away from home until the 82nd minute, when Brandon Mechele’s powerful header beat Anthony Moris. Both sides struggled to make any of their chances count in the second half, with Simon Mignolet having to make a few very good saves to deny the Union strikers. Club have now gone three without a win in the league, while Union have only won once in their previous five domestic matches.
Sint Truiden 1-1 Gent
Sint Truiden were good value for their point and in truth should have had all three. The side had plenty of chances to take the lead and go ahead after drawing level. Israeli midfielder Omri Gandelman scored once again for Gent, but Adriano Bertaccini got himself a deserved equaliser. The striker had put in a real shift and should have scored more. Davy Roef made up for a shaky display against Chelsea during the week with 11 saves to deny the home side.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
