GAMES Anderlecht drew 2-2 at Antwerp. After a poor first half and a 2-0 halftime score, another defeat seemed inevitable. Hazard quickly scored the 2-1 from the penalty spot after the break, but Antwerp remained the more dangerous side. Thanks to Coosemans, the Purple & White stayed in the game and in the final phase, Anderlecht managed to equalize through a low shot from substitute Degreef. A point gained, but away form remains a problem.
A pleasant start for both clubs, but there were no chances until Lambrechts awarded a penalty to Antwerp. N'Diaye unfortunately fouled Kerk (Kerk put his foot in front of the Senegalese player's) and Janssen gladly accepted the gift in the 17th minute.
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Continue reading Anderlecht had barely recovered when the unmarked Somers headed home to make it 2-0, partly because Angulo was out of position.
Antwerp played with much more grit and won many more duels. Anderlecht gave away a lot of space, especially in midfield. Kerk and Scott had chances to make it 3-0. Anderlecht played far too cautiously and sloppily in possession. When Bertaccini finally got a shot off at the end of the first half, Nozawa saved the spot kick.
Cvetkovic came on for Llansana after the break. Thanks to a slight foul on Bertaccini, Hazard brought the Purple & White back into the game from the penalty spot early in the second half. But Antwerp did not give up and Coosemans was needed three times to keep the Purple & White alive from attempts by Janssen and Somers.
Anderlecht played slightly better after the break, but failed to create any real danger after the penalty until substitute Kanaté suddenly made a move in the final phase. The ball ended up at the feet of Degreef (also a substitute), who scored with a low shot.
Anderlecht thus still managed to get a point, but once again showed a different face than at Lotto Park. They hardly had any chances to play together and Degreef's shot was actually the only thing Anderlecht could show after the penalty. Anderlecht drops to fourth place in the standings and will have to end the year with a win at home against Charleroi next Friday to prevent Union, Club, and STVV from pulling further ahead.
