Standard set with seven

R. Standard de Liège hauled back ground in the Belgian First Division, demolishing Cercle Brugge KSV 7-0 to profit from a rare slip-up by runaway leaders RSC Anderlecht.

Rare dividends
Anderlecht’s scoreless draw at KVC Westerlo in Sunday’s late game meant that Standard’s victory paid rare dividends, reducing the deficit at the top of the standings to 15 points. Jonathan Walasiak, Emile Mpenza and Sambegou Bangoura each scored two apiece in the biggest win by any Belgian club this season. Walasiak, who was recently given a new contract on the back of his impressive form, opened the floodgates in the ninth minute and Uruguayan defender Juan Curbello collected the other goal.

Belgian history
R. Antwerp FC striker Dong Fangzhuo, meanwhile, became the first Chinese footballer to play for a Belgian club in a 1-0 defeat by KFC Germinal Beerschot. The 19-year-old, on loan from Manchester United FC, came on as a 61st-minute substitute with Antwerp trailing to the 33rd-minute goal from Brazilian Milson Ferreira. The loss leaves Dong's new club at the foot of the table, one spot below Heusden-Zolder, who fell 4-1 at home to KSK Beveren.

Brugge in touch
Third-placed Club Brugge KV ensured they remained in touch with Standard by defeating K. Sint-Truidense VV 2-1. An 89th-minute goal from Rune Lange secured the points after Peter Van Der Heyden had levelled for the home team following an opener from Günther Verjans.

De Beule double
In other games, Davy de Beule scored twice in KSC Lokeren's 3-0 win against K. Lierse SK, while late efforts from Steve Dugardein and Luigi Pieroni helped R. Excelsior Mouscron overcome RAA Louviéroise 2-1. Viktor Ikpeba and Sébastien Chabaud gave second-bottom R. Charleroi SC an unexpected 2-0 win against KAA Gent and sixth-placed KRC Genk saw off RAEC Mons 1-0 away from home on Friday.