Anderlecht bloodied but unbowed

RSC Anderlecht coach Frank Vercauteren described Sunday's meeting with leaders KRC Genk as a battle after Belgium's top two played out a gruelling 1-1 draw in Genk to keep the title race wide open.

Excellent spirit
Though bloody and bruising at times, the match was played in an excellent spirit, and Vercauteren, a former assistant to Genk coach Hugo Broos at Anderlecht, believes the title race could yet throw up plenty of surprises. "It's the first time in my career I've experienced such a battle, but this is not a psychological blow for us," he said. "We're still in the running for the title, although it would have been nicer if we still had it in our own hands."

Frutos opener
Mbark Boussoufa gave an indication of the spirit running through Vercauteren's side when he returned to the pitch after receiving stitches for an early head wound to set up Nicolás Frutos's opener on 30 minutes. Frutos himself was forced to finish the match with his head bandaged as well after Eric Matoukou accidentally stepped on him eight minutes into the second half.

Ljubojević strikes
At that point Anderlecht were looking comfortable in the defence of their lead but the game turned following the introduction of Goran Ljubojević midway through the second half. The Croatian striker has been a thorn in the side of Anderlecht this season, having scored twice in Genk's 4-1 win in Brussels in September, and he proved so again here when he connected with with Thomas Chatelle's cross from the right to head in the equaliser with 17 minutes to play.

'Winners'
The result leaves Genk, who fielded nine Belgian players in their lineup, two points clear of second-placed Anderlecht with nine games to play. "We were the winners this weekend," said Broos. "It was an exciting match for the fans and looked like a cup match with all the tackles." Both sides meet again on Wednesday in the second leg of their Belgian Cup quarter-final, with Anderlecht looking to defend a 1-0 lead won in Genk two weeks ago.