Refaelov heads Anderlecht to twelve out of twelve

WEDNESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2021, 15:28 - lajoya
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GAMES Anderlecht won for the fourth time in a row. Before half time, things didn't go as smoothly as last weekend, but STVV played well organized. Anderlecht took control of the match after the break and opened the score via a header by Refaelov. It remained exciting because only in the last minute of added time, Anderlecht doubled the score through substitute Ashimeru.


That STVV didn't want to play like Seraing was already clear after the duels in the first minutes. Anderlecht didn't start badly and Verschaeren should have scored on a pass from Refaelov after five minutes. After that, the purple and white candle extinguished quickly and the visitors kept everything under control by playing compactly and also by sloppy play from the home team. Sint-Truiden did not really pose a threat apart from a shot by Bruls. Fast forward to minute 32 when Zirkzee seemed to be deciding on a goal, but had to tap the ball to Refaelov. The Golden Shoe's attempt was blocked, however. There was no more danger to be had before half-time and so the first half was one to forget quickly.

Ten minutes after the break, Anderlecht started to put more pressure on STVV's defense. Refaelov sent a measured ball to Verschaeren, but Schmidt cleared his placed header from goal. Anderlecht then took the lead anyway. After a nice combination, which started with Verschaeren, Zirkzee crossed and Refaelov was able to head the ball into the goal.

Anderlecht however got two serious treats immediately after that. Suzuki first headed wide from a cross and then Konaté headed just wide of the goal. On the other side, Gomez crossed perfectly, but there was nobody to tap the ball into the goal. Raman crossed after an action, but Verschaeren aimed his shot over goal.

STVV did not give in and brought another striker into the field, but Pius saved Refaelov's 2-0 after Schmidt had dived to the other side. STVV's goalkeeper was lucky again after that. He just couldn't reach a cross, but the ball fell via Refaelov's back. With Anderlecht taking a narrow lead, the last ten minutes started.

Anderlecht recovered and got another chance to double the score, but Schmidt made a good save on an attempt by Verschaeren. STVV escaped again after Cacace almost deviated a cross from Gomez into his own goal. Refaelov put Raman beautifully alone in front of goal, but the striker was just offside. Raman had a second chance after a nice long ball from Gomez, but the distance to goal was long and Raman placed the ball high over. With bended knees Purple and White defended the lead in the final phase. But in the very last minute, substitute Ashimeru headed in the 2-0 on a pass from Raman. 

Anderlecht wasn't able to cope with a tough STVV and could only make the difference after half-time. It did get enough chances, but it remained exciting because the 2-0 only fell at the very end. Purple and white will go to Club Brugge with 12 out of 12.

Score: 2-0
Goal(s): 1-0 Refaelov (59'), 2-0 Ashimeru (90+6')

Anderlecht:Van Crombrugge, Murillo, Magallan, Hoedt, Gomez, Cullen, Olsson, Refaelov (Ashimeru 89'), Verschaeren (Harwood-Bellis 90+2'), Zirkzee (Raman 66'), Kouamé
STVV:Schmidt, Leistner, Teixeira (Hara 73'), Pius, Hashioka, Bauer (Koita 73'), Konaté, Durkin (Lavalée 46') (Hayashi 62'), Cacace, Bruls, Suzuki (Balongo 82')

Yellow: Pius 35', Lavalée 50'
Red:

Referee: Jonathan Lardot
Stadium: Lotto Park
 



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