Anderlecht takes unexpected point thanks to owngoal

GAMES Anderlecht drew 1-1 at Club Brugge with more luck than skill. An owngoal by Mechele in minute 78 provided the final score after Nielsen had given Brugge the lead 10 minutes earlier. Brugge were dominant and had missed a number of chances before and after half-time. Anderlecht did not provide a single goal attempt in 95 minutes between the frame and especially in midfield they lacked quality. After this windfall, two very important matches now follow for Purple-White against reinforced Zulte Waregem and then in Seraing.
 


Anderlecht, yesterday a first matchday without supporters because of the incidents at Standard, did not start badly. A select delegation of the board was present though. They saw after ten minutes that Brugge had the first big chance through Yaremchuk. Verbruggen came out quickly. Anderlecht mainly had to watch out for ball loss in midfield. Lang kicked a new opportunity for Bruges ten minutes later wide, and moments later Yaremchuk hindered Vanaken's shot. Anderlecht played too sloppily or too slowly on the moments it could break out.

After half an hour, Buchanan dribbled close to goal, but Vertonghen blocked his shot. Moments later, Purple White escaped after losing the ball when playing out. However, Buchanan kicked wide. Superiority for Brugge at half-time. Anderlecht, with a weak midfield that often lost the ball, could not threaten once.

Four minutes after half-time, Yaremshuk missed a great chance. The Ukrainian striker pushed the ball over goal. It was gradually getting very hot in front of the Purple and White goal. Nielsen also had a great chance, but the Dane graded his shot. Just before the hour, Vertonghen defended accurately when a ball ended up with Vanaken. For a moment, things seemed to improve for Anderlecht, but just then Bruges opened the scoring. In minute 68, Buchanan ran away on the left and centrally Nielsen cleverly ran the ball into goal. The Dane also scored the winning goal at Lotto Park. Silva, already lonely on an island and barely able to hit a ball, was replaced by Stroeykens 15 minutes before time.

But the football gods took pity on the weak Purple and White ten minutes after Bruges' goal. An effort by Arnstad, which would end up metres wide, swirled against the feet of Mechele who thus outsmarted Mignolet. Thus Anderlecht managed to score without getting a goal attempt between the frame. In the closing stages, Parker threw in all his remaining substitutions. But Brugge did not seem inclined to take too many risks either as Anderlecht had actually started to play a bit of football in the closing stages.

So - unexpectedly after Nielsen's goal - Purple White grabbed a point from Bruges after all, but had to watch the dramatic level of play again. The midfield was not up to the task and the attacking players had another tough afternoon in which they could hardly get anything done. Wednesday awaits Zulte Waregem in a crucial double-header in the league. Best not to underestimate Zulte, as they played quite well yesterday despite the defeat in Genk.

Score: 1-1
Goal(s):1-0 Nielsen 68', 1-1 Mechele (own) 78'

Club Brugge:Mignolet, Mata (80' Sowah), Mechele, Meijer (88' Boyata), Odoi, Nielsen (88' Nusa), Onyedika, Buchanan, Vanaken, Lang (88' Rits), Yaremchuk (61' Jutgla)
Anderlecht:Verbruggen, Murillo, Debast, Vertonghen, Sardella (59' N'Diaye), Diawara (59' Trebel), Arnstad, Ashimeru (90+2' Sadiki), Verschaeren, Amuzu, Silva (74' Stroeykens)

Yellow: Yaremchuk 6', Sardella 50', Arnstad 69', Buchanan 70', Murillo 72'
Red:

Referee: Nathan Verboomen
Stadium: Jan Breydel Stadium