Relief at Lotto Park after victory

GAMES Anderlecht beat Eupen 4-2 this afternoon. The home team led 2-0 early on, but then refused to finish Eupen off completely. The Pandas then came back into the match before half-time through an unfortunate own-goal by Hoedt. Refaelov seemed to redeem Anderlecht after halftime with the 3-1, but immediately afterwards Peeters surprised with a free-kick that still made Anderlecht cringe again. The recovered Ait El Hadj crowned his good performance with a fine 4-2 which Purple and White did not relinquish.


Anderlecht did not hesitate to go on the attack, the first time through Amuzu after four minutes. On his second attempt, he was successful. After fourteen minutes, he deservedly opened the score with a low shot through some Eupen legs into the short corner. Anderlecht doubled the score five minutes later through a clever free kick by Refaelov. Amuzu failed moments later to make it even three nil after he was played free after a quick combination. Silva also left the 3-0 open before the half-hour when he came alone in front of Moser.

After the half-hour, Purple White started to play more sloppily. Eupen were able to leave the hedgehog position at times as a result. Just before half-time, Anderlecht cashed in yet another goal on a stoppage time. On Eupen's first opportunity, Lambert got in front of his man and, with luck, pushed the ball into goal via Hoedt's body. That counter-goal was entirely down to themselves as Purple White had not pressed further after the half-hour to finish Eupen off.

After the break, Silva kicked the first chance wide on Amuzu's cross. Vertonghen hit the side netting with a shot. Anderlecht got a first warning when the speedy Charles-Cook was sent deep. Van Crombrugge was then much needed and cleverly pushed a shot by Peeters out of the corner. Eupen went in search of the equaliser without hesitation. On the hour, Ait El Hadj was allowed to step in for the absent Amuzu. Five minutes later, El Hadj first cracked his shot, but his cross landed in front of goal again where Refaelov made his second of the afternoon with a placing ball. But immediately after, yet another page was written in the defensive blunder book this season. Peeters kicked a free kick straight at goal from very wide angle. Hoedt and Van Crombrugge looked pretty lousy in that phase.

Leoni made his debut for the first team when he replaced Diawara. Van Crombrugge put right his hesitation at 3-2 when he kept Eupen from the equalizer after ball loss by Debast. In the end, Prevljak appeared to be offside at that stage. Anderlecht lurked on the counter, but an opportunity for Stroeykens was turned into a corner. On a subsequent breakaway, Ait El Hadj redeemed Anderlecht with a perfect placing ball, high into the corner. 

It was much needed to gather some points with matches against Genk and Antwerp to come. This win is obviously only against Eupen, but Anderlecht already lost enough points against clubs against whom Anderlecht should always win in better times. We just wonder when we will see another match without defensive blunder. Hoedt's own-goal was unfortunate, but Peeters' free kick could be in a new movie of FC De Kampioenen.

Score: 4-2
Goal(s): 1-0 Amuzu (14'), 2-0 Refaelov (19'), 2-1 Hoedt (own goal) (44'), 3-1 Refaelov (65'), 3-2 Peeters (67'), 4-2 Ait El Hadj (86')

Anderlecht: Van Crombrugge, Murillo (Sadiki 88'), Debast, Hoedt, Vertonghen, Diawara (Leoni 74'), Amuzu (Ait El Hadj 60'), Ashimeru, Refaelov (Esposito 74'), Stroeykens, Silva
AS Eupen: Moser, Van Genechten, Davidson (Paenhuyse 77'), Alloh (Gassama 83'), Lambert, Peeters, Magnee (Déom 83'), Bitumazala, Wakaso (Charles-Cook 46'), N'Dri (Nuhu 59'), Prevljak

Yellow: Wakaso 16', Murillo 66', Ashimeru 80', Silva 84'
Red: /

Referee: Jan Boterberg
Stadium: Lotto Park