Anderlecht wins with smallest difference

GAMES Anderlecht won 1-0 against Eupen. It started strongly and scored through Hazard. Anderlecht seemed to be heading for a big win, but after 15 minutes things suddenly became difficult and Anderlecht played sloppy in the zone of truth. Even after halftime, Anderlecht could rarely threaten. The narrow lead caused the necessary nervousness, but Eupen had too little offensive qualities to score the equalizer. Anderlecht was immediately warned for the remaining games against RWDM and Kortrijk.


Anderlecht brought a nice prologue in the form of a message for Kristoffer Olsson who was previously affected by a still unknown brain disorder. In minute twenty, applause would also follow for the unfortunate Swede.

After true fifteen seconds Hazard could have scored, but he slalomed too much. In minute nine, Purple-White did take the lead. It captured the ball in midfield and Dreyer appropriately served Hazard who finished with conviction. Not much later, Slonina needed a good save on a place ball from Dreyer. Anderlecht combined with confidence.

Anderlecht unloaded the gas pedal after the quarter-hour mark and Eupen threatened for the first time with a shot by Keita. Purple and White had another good chance for the 2-0, again after a breakaway. Hazard in turn served Dreyer, but the Dane curled the ball wide. Anderlecht slowly let themselves go to sleep. In minute 34, the visitors had their biggest chance of the match, but Pantovic headed over. Anderlecht was not allowed to fall asleep completely. Dolberg went past Slonina, but he found himself on the back line allowing the ball to be deflected, but Anderlecht couldn't really threaten again before halftime.

Eupen started the second half with confidence. Gattoni just stubbed a toe against a rebound from Emond which consequently hit the crossbar. Anderlecht tried to take back control of the game and it got a few corners. Hazard kicked a meter wide after one of those corners. Anderlecht played sloppily which also meant that the final pass was missing and Dolberg, for example, could not be put in position.

In minute 67, Schmeichel had to intervene on a hard shot. Fifteen minutes before time, Sardella also kicked hard at goal, but Anderlecht could not rest easy without a second goal. Riemer brought his compatriots Dreyer and Dolberg to the side for Angulo and Vazquez ten minutes before time. Moments later, Delaney also celebrated his return. Angulo put himself through well on the flank, but his pass reached no one.

In the closing stages, Eupen pressed on and remained exciting because of the narrow lead. Palsson headed on a corner not far wide. Anderlecht prodded cautiously once more, but Verschaeren's shot was blocked. Despite the necessary nervousness, Anderlecht played out the match without too many concrete problems.

Three points thanks to the strong start led by Hazard. The rest is best to forget, although Riemer will probably think otherwise.

Score: 1-0
Goal(s):1-0 Hazard 9'

Anderlecht:Schmeichel, Sardella, Debast, Gattoni, Augustinsson, Rits (Verschaeren 71'), Leoni (Delaney 83'), Stroeykens, Dreyer (Angulo 80'), Hazard, Dolberg (Vazquez 80')
Eupen:Slonina, Paeshuyse (Finnbogason 82'), Palsson, Filin, Davidson, Charles-Cook (Deom 69'), Lambert, Pantovic (Nuhu 58'), Baiye (Van Genechten 82'), Keita, Emond (Marechal 82')

Yellow: Debast 63', Deom 80', Hazard 90'+1
Red:

Referee: Wim Smet
Stadium: Lotto Park

Source: © Internal source