Belgian First Division wrap: Anderlecht move clear at summit

Anderlecht extended their lead atop the Belgian First Division to eight points with a 4-2 win at Genk on Sunday.

The reigning champions won an action-packed thriller at the Cristal Arena as they extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches in all competitions.

Guillaume Gillet opened the scoring for the winners after 35 minutes and when Tom De Sutter doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time, Anderlecht looked sure winners.

But they did not count on an inspired fight-back from Genk, who pulled a goal back on the hour-mark thanks to Kalidou Koulibaly.

Genk coach Mario Been introduced Glynor Plet off the bench in a bid to snare an equaliser and the change proved fruitful.

Plet had been on the pitch for just four minutes before levelling proceedings on 76 minutes to the delight of the home fans.

De Sutter’s second goal restored Anderlecht’s lead with four minutes of normal time left before Genk were presented with a terrific opportunity to come away from the match with a draw.

Another substitute, Jelle Vossen, stepped up to the penalty spot in the first minute of stoppage time but fluffed his chance as Anderlecht breathed a sigh of relief.

And they made sure of the victory when Ukrainian Aleksandr Iakovenko bagged the sealer three minutes into stoppage time.

Anderlecht have won 15 of their 21 matches so far this season, losing only two. Genk go to the winter break in sixth position on the table.

The day’s other match saw Club Brugge come from behind to win 3-1 at Standard Liege.

Imoh Ezekiel put Standard in front in the first minute but a second-half double from Maxime Lestienne delighted the away fans.

And Club Brugge wrapped up the three points thanks to Colombian forward Carlos Bacca’s stoppage time strike.