GAMES Anderlecht won 2-1 away at KV Mechelen. Just like last week, the purple-and-white managed to turn a deficit into a victory. After another poor first half, Anderlecht went into the break trailing 1-0. But in the second half the substitutes Cvetkovic and Bertaccini put things right within ten minutes.
Mechelen could no longer seriously threaten Anderlecht after the 1-2 — an important win in the fight for a place in Europe. Again, gloom before the break. Anderlecht started weakly and could not keep possession for a single moment due to a string of poor passes. Stroeykens was quickly substituted by Verschaeren with a hamstring injury. Raman had a great chance on the half hour after intercepting a poor pass from Kana and racing towards goal; Coosemans saved the 1-0 with his foot.
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Continue reading Anderlecht improved slightly afterwards, but technical errors continued to dominate and nobody up front could hold the ball. The only shot of note from the visitors in the first half was a low effort from Llansana. Referee Lambrechts handed out yellow cards frequently. Mechelen had not looked dangerous for a while, but struck in the lengthy added time (partly due to an injury to a linesman). After a somewhat careless loss of possession, Kana went in too weakly on Boersma, who won the ball and finished into the far corner.
After the break Mechelen sat deeper while Anderlecht continued to be plagued by technical mistakes. Coosemans had to intervene just before the hour to keep out a volley from Marsa. But the match was about to turn — that would be the home side's last notable action. Despite the poor performance, Anderlecht drew level on the hour. At the purple-and-white's first real chance, substitute Cvetkovic headed in and then converted the rebound. Anderlecht began to play better and ten minutes later Bertaccini neatly made it 2-1 after a good pass from Diarra and an assist via a backheel from Augustinsson. Bertaccini also came close to making it 3-1 but shot wide while falling.
That kept Mechelen in the game, and Anderlecht could afford no mistakes at the back during the long added time. The visitors had one more good chance to seal it, but Degreef aimed for personal glory and Miras saved in the near corner. Anderlecht take six points from nine, but with a minimum of good football. For the second match in a row the substitutes decided the game. Anderlecht close the gap to one point behind STVV, who still play tomorrow against AA Gent.
Next Thursday Anderlecht go to Staaien. Also notable: Anderlecht picked up six yellow cards yesterday. From three yellow cards a suspension follows.
