Convincing win against Kortrijk

GAMES

Anderlecht sent Kortrijk home 4-0. Purple and white were finally able to convince in the league and dominated the entire match. Kortrijk initially held firm, but cracked after a penalty kick in minute 37. After half-time, Anderlecht was quickly 3-0 ahead after an owngoal and a goal by Stroeykens. Dolberg also scored the fourth goal on a free kick.

Anderlecht played its best half of this league before half-time. It put Kortrijk under pressure quickly and left the West Flemish little time and space. At half-time, Anderlecht had almost 80% ball possession. Purple and White attacked constantly, but Kortrijk defended well and often there was a leg or foot in front of a shot or a cross so big chances for Anderlecht just didn't materialise.

Dolberg then scored the deserved 1-0 from the spot in minute 37 after N'Diaye was tapped. In the closing stages, Ashimeru had to leave (again) injured. Verschaeren was his replacement.

After half-time, everything went as planned for Anderlecht, which quickly climbed to 2-0, again with help from Kortrijk. Indeed, Kadri extended a Zanka header into his own goal. After a short break during which a linesman was replaced by the fourth ref, the 3-0 was also quickly on the board. Dreyer headed centrally in front of goal where Stroeykens kicked in a time high into goal.

Just after the hour, Edozie could have made it 4-0, but he mis-hit the ball.

Around minute 65, Kortrijk came up a couple of times. Mehssatou had a good chance, but was hindered just enough. Anderlecht remained dangerous, however, and Dolberg scored his second of the evening in minute 77. The Dane popped a free kick hard into goal after Simic had cleverly left the wall. How long had it been since Anderlecht scored directly via a free kick? In the closing stages, Lapage made his league debut.

So Anderlecht responded well after the two league defeats. Kortrijk were out of the game and Purple and White had a lot of ball possession and goal attempts. Was Anderlecht really good or was Kortrijk just weak? Presumably, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

After the European trip to Latvia, the move to Cercle Brugge awaits. Hopefully the players will realise that this time it is not a practice match at Jan Breydel. This win must be followed up quickly to distance themselves from a bunch of clubs that are close in the standings.

Score: 4-0

Goal(s): 1-0 Dolberg (pen) 38‘, 2-0 Fuji (owngoal) 51', 3-0 Stroeykens 57‘, 4-0 Dolberg 77'

Anderlecht:Coosemans, Sardella, Simic (Lapage 85‘), Zanka, N'Diaye, Rits, Ashimeru (Verschaeren 37'), Stroeykens, Edozie (Amuzu 78‘), Dreyer (Degreef 85'), Dolberg (Vazquez 78')

Kortrijk:Vandenberghe, Mehssatou, Fujii, Silva, Lagae, Kaneko (Fossum 61‘), Sissako, Takamine (Dewaele 74'), De Neve (El Idrissy 90‘), Kadri (R. Simic 74'), Ambrose (Ferri 61')

Yellow:

Red:

Referee: Wim Smet

Stadium: Lotto Park

Source: © Internal source