Englebert calls the tune

By Berend Scholten

Club Brugge KV won 4-1 away against R. Standard de Liège to open up a four-point lead the top of the Eerste Klasse as RSC Anderlecht were held to a draw by KSC Lokeren OV.

Englebert goals
Gaëtan Englebert scored two second-half goals for Brugge on Friday to give them the advantage after they had struggled to repress a tough Standard side in the first 45 minutes. League top scorer Boško Balaban had put the visitors ahead on 23 minutes but when Mohammed Tchité equalised four minutes later, a shock looked on the cards.

Anderlecht held
But Englebert calmed his side’s nerves just after the hour before adding a second 12 minutes from time. Captain Timmy Simons then sealed a flattering win in the 87th minute. That briefly stretched the gap at the top to five points with Anderlecht not playing until Saturday, when they drew 2-2 to claim a point.

Dindane double
Swedish midfield player Christian Wilhelmsson gave visitors Lokeren an early lead, but goals from Brazilian duo Taílson and Corrêa Ademílson turned the game around midway through the first half. An Aruna Dindane volley brought Anderlecht back level three minutes after the interval.

Comprehensive victory
RAA Louviéroise move up to third after a comprehensive 4-0 win against RAEC Mons. Matthieu Maton, Geoffray Toyes, Gunther Van Handenhoven and Mannaseh Ishiaku were all on target to leave Mons second from bottom. KV Oostende remain at the foot of the table after a 1-0 defeat by R. Charleroi SC, who moved up to fourth.

Cercle comeback
KSV Cercle Brugge also won by a single goal after coming from a goal down to beat KAA Gent 2-1 at the Jan Breydelstadion.  Abdelmalek Cherrad gave the visitors the lead after just seven minutes, and it was not until the 72nd minute that the home side drew level through Dieter Dekelver. Two minutes later they were ahead and Stijn De Smet’s strike allowed his side to climb to tenth.

Diawara injury
Elsewhere, KSK Beveren won 3-1 away against FC Brussels, though the result is tempered by a serious injury to Diabis Diawara that could end the defender’s season. K. Lierse SK defeated R. Excelsior Mouscron by the same scoreline. In the Limburg derby KRC Genk won 1-0 against K. Sint Truidense VV, while a solitary 70th-minute goal from Jeffrey Ntuka-Pule gave KVC Westerlo victory against KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen.