Brugge bounce back

By Berend Scholten

Club Brugge KV recovered from two successive defeats in style as they eased to a 5-1 victory against K. Sint-Truidense VV to end the first half of the Eerste Klasse campaign seven points clear of RSC Anderlecht.

Verheyen double
Brugge came into the match after last weekend's defeat by Anderlecht - their first in the league this season - and their subsequent UEFA Cup elimination, but quickly reverted to type as they raced in to a three-goal lead against Sint-Truidense. Gert Verheyen, Timmy Simons and Jonathan Blondel all scored in the opening half hour and although Kris Buvens pulled a goal back, further strikes from Verheyen and Rune Lange gave Brugge an emphatic win.

Charleroi held
The fixture between RAEC Mons and RSC Anderlecht was postponed so third-placed R. Charleroi SC had the opportunity to close the five-point gap. They failed to capitalise, however, and after Olivier Doll cancelled out Nasredine Kraouche's early goal in the eleventh minute, Charleroi could not break down KSC Lokeren OV, who played over half the match with ten men after Marel Baldvinsson's dismissal.

Standard bounce back
R. Standard de Liége also endured UEFA Cup disappointment on Thursday when they were defeated 7-1 at home by Athletic Club Bilbao. They too returned to domestic action with aplomb though as Sambegou Bangoura and Sergio Conceiçao both scored twice in a 5-0 victory against nine-man KV Oostende, who had Marco Nijs and Dimitri Habran sent off.

Westerlo win
Standard remain fifth, but are now just two points behind KAA Gent, who lost 2-1 away against KVC Westerlo. The home side went behind to Tim Matthys' 15th-minute strike but second-half goals from David Paas and Wim Mennes earned Westerlo their fourth win in a row. KRC Genk beat KSV Cercle Brugge by the same scoreline thanks to goals from Faris Haroun and Kevin Vandenbergh.

Late drama
With Mons not playing and KV Oostende losing, FC Brussels moved six clear of the bottom pair with a 2-1 victory at R. Excelsior de Mouscron. Said Abed Makasi was the hero, scoring a last-minute winner after Francisco Davolio had cancelled out Richard Culek's opener.

Five-goal thriller
Moussa Sanogo also scored a late winner as KSK Beveren snatched all three points against KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen. Elsewhere, RAA Louviéroise edged a five-goal thriller against K. Lierse SK. Michael Murcy scored twice as ten-man La Louvière held on following Mario Espartero's dismissal.