Belgian First Division wrap: Anderlecht reach summit, Standard triumph

Anderlecht won to climb to the top of the Belgian First Division with a win on Sunday, as Club Brugge were held away at Germinal Beerschot.

Dieumerci Mbokani’s goal was enough to see Anderlecht register a 1-0 win over Genk, although it took Ariel Jacobs’ side 74 minutes to find the lead away at the Cristal Arena.

It was the Congolese striker’s second goal in as many games, adding to his effort in Anderlecht’s 2-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow in the Europa League on Thursday.

The match also marked Mbokani’s first start in his second spell for the club, having previously spent time on loan at the Brussels-based side in the 2006/2007 campaign.

Club Brugge dramatically slipped from top spot on Sunday when they were denied victory late in their 1-1 draw away at Beerschot.

Joseph Akpala had opened the scoring for Brugge in Antwerp, but an injury-time equaliser from Zimbabwean midfielder Vusumuzi Nyoni ensured the hosts snared a point to leap into ninth spot on the table.

Standard Liege moved into fifth place on the table with a 2-0 victory over winless Lierse.

First-half goals from Jelle Van Damme and Felipe sealed the points for Jose Riga’s men, which left them five points behind leaders Anderlecht.