Belgian Pro League Match Week 12 Review | Genk remain on top while Mechelen continue to entertain

Genk remain on top of the Belgian Pro League after 12 matches, while Mechelen are starting to surge up the table as they continue to provide plenty of entertainment.

Kortrijk 1-0 Beerschot

Beerschot grabbed their first win of the season last time out against Anderlecht, but were unable to follow it up with another victory away to Kortrijk. Midfielder Abdoulaye Sissako scored the only goal of the game to give Kortrijk what could prove to be a big three points. Both sides remain in the bottom four but the home side have extended their lead over basement club Beerschot to nine points.

Sporting Charleroi 0-2 OH Leuven

Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi was the hero for OH Leuven as he ended their extended run of games without a win. The striker grabbed a brace before half-time against a Charleroi side that had all the possession but lacked efficiency. The Zebras have now not won in five games, since beating Beerschot 3-0. They have lost three on the bounce as well. Charleroi have now slipped to 12th, level on points with two side in the bottom four.

Dender 2-5 Mechelen

A crazy crazy game in Dender. the score was 2-0 to Mechelen as we entered the 80th minute, 2-1 in the 90th and then suddenly ended 5-2. Dender’s defence in the last seven minutes of the game was appalling as Mechelen ran riot. Nikola Storm continued his fine season with another goal, giving him four for the season. Patrick Pflucke was also in fine form as he grabbed one goal and one assist. The side have moved into the top four as a result.

Sint Truiden 2-0 Westerlo

The Canaries continue to roll under Felice Mazzu. Adriano Bertaccini was at the double once again to grab another win for the side. They are slowly pulling themselves out of the bottom four after an abysmal start to the season. Westerlo, on the other hand, started the season in fantastic form with three wins from their opening three. They have only won one since.

Club Brugge 2-1 Anderlecht

While Anderlecht continue to play well in Europe, they are struggling domestically. Club were good value for their win and could have won by more. However, they were almost caught out right at the end when the much maligned Zanka missed a glorious chance to equalise. That’s just one win in five for Anderlecht, while Club have now only lost one in their last five.

Antwerp 3-0 Standard Liege

The Tjaronn Chery/Vincent Janssen combination continues to blossom at Antwerp. They both scored and assisted each other in another Antwerp win, giving them four wins in their last five. Standard did have enough of the ball to create some chances, but their poor finishing once again saw them draw a blank. It could have been worse had Matthieu Epolo not saved a Jacob Ondrejka penalty.

Gent 0-2 Genk

While the scoreline suggests a close game, Genk were utterly dominant in this one. The side could have scored more, with goalkeeper Hendrik van Crombrugge rarely being called into action. Another goal for summer signing Jarne Steuckers gives him five goals in 12 games, almost level with the seven he got for Sint Truiden last season. Up next in the league for Genk will be a clash with in form Antwerp, a game that should be very entertaining.

Union St Gilloise 1-3 Cercle Brugge

After losing in embarrassing fashion in Iceland during the week, Cercle came into this game under pressure. A number of key players were rested for this game and the club hierarchy will be thankful that they were slightly vindicated in that decision. That they even released a statement about their team selection for the European game in Iceland showed they were feeling the pressure. Union had plenty of chances to ensure they came away with something, but Cercle were just more efficient.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson

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