Kevin De Bruyne destroys Anderlecht (day 4 of 10)

By | April 14, 2012

1-IMG_6533Genk’s Kevin De Bruyne was substituted in extra time tonight and got a standing ovation from the Anderlecht crowd. You don’t see that very often but it was thoroughly deserved. In the first half, Kevin ran the show, creating a host of chances for his team-mates. He only had one assist, a slide-rule pass for Christian Benteke but it was probably his best 45 minutes since his switch to central midfield. He faded in the second half but by then Anderlecht were shell-shocked and losing 2-0 at home. They tried to come back in the second half and did get a goal back. Genk made it 3-1 though, with Thomas Buffel’s second assist, and Anderlecht’s Milan Jovanovic – coming off the bench – missed a penalty.

Jelle Vossen, Anthony Vanden Borre and Benteke got Genk’s goals and they are now third, pending the remaining games this weekend. Anderlecht’s defence looked all at sea, especially on the left where Jordan Lukaku was frequently out of position. Anderlecht’s problem lies in midfield where Sacha Kjlestan looks exhausted after his efforts throughout the season and where Luca Biglia has never regained his form after injury.
There’s a long way to go in the playoffs, and anything could happen. One fact, however, is that Genk – organised by Chelsea-bound De Bruyne – are the in-form team. And who would have thought that would be possible when they had the injury crisis and players leaving in droves a few months ago.

In the following games, Club Brugge defeated Gent 1-0 (a Daum score) to go within four points of Anderlecht. The clubs meet on Sunday. Elsewhere, Kortrijk and Standard drew 0-0 in a disappointing game. Standard remain without a win in the playoffs.

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