There were just six games played in the Jupiler League this weekend: three home victories and three away wins. The top three all won, away from home, and home victories went to Lokeren (against the inconsistent Standard), Sint Trond and Club Brugge.
Anderlecht’s win over Zulte Waregem meant that they have now taken 19 points from a possible 21, despite never having playing particularly well in that period. Without Mbark Boussoufa, they do lack a spark and the latest victory was again achieved late when playing against 10 men. The main headlines went to Marcin Wasilewski, playing his first full game after a double open fracture of his right leg, who scored Anderlecht’s first goal. This was also ex-Anderlecht boss Hugo Broos’s first defeat in charge of his new club.
Ghent won impressively at Eupen, and coach Francky Drury was pleased with his team’s third victory in a week. On Wednesday, Ghent go to meet Lille – and Eden Hazard – aiming to qualify for the next round of the Europa League. Second-placed Genk just got the better of Germinal Beerschot to remain just one point behind Anderlecht.
Club Brugge were involved in what could be called a seven goal thriller at the Jan Breydel stadium. This was another defeat for an ex-boss, as Westerlo are coached by Jan Ceulemans. Remarkably, this was Club Brugge’s tenth consecutive victory over Westerlo.
Sint Trond defeated Kortrijk 1-0 before 6,500 brave souls. The only goal was scored by Wim Mennes and the midfielder has earned his club six points in the last two games. The other game saw Standard Liege, watched by new-signing Jelle Van Damme, go down to a 2-1 defeat at Lokeren. Standard were outplayed without being disgraced; Lokeren’s two goals were scored by Benjamin De Ceulaer, who now has seven goals in five games.
Positions: Top five. 1. Anderlecht 40 points, 2. Genk 39, 3. Ghent 35, 4. Lokeren 32 (from 17 games), 5. Standard. 30.
Bottom five: 12. Sint Trond 20 points, 13. Germinal Beerschot 14 pts, 14th Eupen 12 pts, 15. Lierse 9, 16th Charleroi 7 points.
Results
Lokeren 2 Standard 1
Eupen 0 – Gh3ent 3
Sint Trond 1 Kortrijk 0
Zulte Waregem 1 Anderlecht 2
Club Brugge 4 Westerlo 3
Germinal Beerschot 0 Genk 1