GAMES A weak Anderlecht snatched a 3-1 win over AA Gent in the dying moments. The Mauves were slow and uninspired while Gent created plenty of chances. In the 78th minute Verschaeren cancelled out Kanga's early opener from the penalty spot. Suddenly Anderlecht believed again, and in stoppage time substitutes Degreef and Bertaccini made it 3-1.
A serious downside was the heavy ankle injury to De Cat, who went down before half-time — a half to quickly forget for Anderlecht. Anderlecht once more started the game far too passively. Gent quickly issued a number of warnings: Kanga missed a big chance early on and after ten minutes Heekeren, who replaced the injured Coosemans, did well to stop a strong header from the forward. Although Gent were the better team, they needed VAR to get the decision. At the third VAR intervention in twenty minutes — arguably a stretch — referee Visser pointed to the spot. Maamar had the ball hit his arm from close range; Kanga accepted the gift and converted.
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Continue reading After Heekeren denied Skoras's chance that would have made it 0-2, Anderlecht looked marginally more alert. Augustinsson's header was weak and, after a Hazard free kick, the ball struck the post. To make matters worse, De Cat went off with an ankle injury before the break.
Five minutes into the second half Skoras could have made it 0-2, but Heekeren pulled off a save. Anderlecht tried to respond, yet Gent were the only side carving out real chances. Around the hour mark Heekeren again reacted well to a shot from Dean; Kanga then missed the close-range rebound.
Anderlecht struggled to fashion opportunities, but in the 78th minute Verschaeren struck to level the scores after Hazard's free kick had hit the post. That goal returned some confidence to Anderlecht, who threatened a few times through Da Costa. Time was short for the hosts, yet the Lotto Park still witnessed a memorable epilogue. After hesitant defending by Hashioka, Degreef was in the right place to poke home the 2-1. In the final minute Bertaccini stole the ball from Hashioka and added the third. An important win for Anderlecht, but the level of play must improve in the weeks ahead.
