Brugge breathing easily

By Berend Scholten

Nastja Ceh's first-half header set Club Brugge KV on the way to their 18th victory of the season at the weekend, a 2-0 win against K. Lierse SK which carried them 14 points clear at the top of the table. Victor Simões De Oliviera scored Brugge's second nine minutes from time, the Brazilian striker's first goal since mid-October.

Anderlecht held
Brugge's nearest challengers, RSC Anderlecht, still have two games in hand but dropped points in a tough goalless draw at KAA Gent while KRC Genk joined them on 42 points with a 1-0 win at home against RAA Louviéroise, who were sunk by Tomislav Mikulic's second-half goal. Orlando Engelaar missed a penalty for Genk a few minutes later.

Bangoura brilliance
R. Standard de Liège are two points further down in fourth after a 1-0 win away against FC Molenbeek Brussels Strombeek. The Belgian First Division's leading scorer Sambegou Bangoura took his total for the season to 12 with the winning goal although his side finished the game with ten men following Milan Rapaic's late dismissal.

Gommans off
R. Charleroi SC remain in fifth thanks to a solitary gaol early in the second half from Ousmane Bangoura at home against KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen, while R. Excelsior Mouscron drew 1-1 with KSC Lokeren OV and KSV Cercle Brugge's game against KVC Westerlo ended goalless, despite the visitors having Harrie Gommans sent off.

Bristling Beveren
Swinging football brought KSK Beveren a 3-0 lead at home against K. Sint Truidense VV inside the first 13 minutes. Ndri Romaric, Alain Arunina and Romeo Seka scored early before Tamas Hajnal pulled one back in a game that ended 3-1.

Oostende hope
At the wrong end of the table, KV Oostende closed the gap on Brussels with a 1-0 home win against 16th-placed RAEC Mons thanks to a 20-metre volley from Marco Nijs. Oostende are now just two points adrift at the bottom.