Belgian First Division wrap: Liege hit Beerschot for six, Gent beaten

Standard Liege thrashed Beerschot 6-1 in the Belgian First Division on Saturday, while Gent went down 2-1 away to Lierse.

A first-half brace from Yoni Buyens and Geoffrey Mujangi Bia’s goal gave hosts Liege a comfortable 3-0 lead by half-time at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne.

Sherjill MacDonald pulled a goal back for visitors Beerschot on 57 minutes, but Liege returned fire in emphatic fashion.

Gohi Cyriac struck to make it 4-1 on 63 minutes, before two goals in the space of three minutes from Uruguay midfielder Ignacio Gonzalez and Michy Batshuayi completed the rout.

The hefty win sees Liege climb to fourth, six points back from leaders Anderlecht.

Also on Saturday, second-placed Gent missed a chance to move top when they lost 2-1 away at Lierse.

Karim Saidi opened the scoring for Lierse in the 26th minute at Herman Vanderpoortenstadion, before Tim Smolders levelled for Gent on 51 minutes.

Daylon Claasen then scored the winner for the hosts with five minutes remaining in the match.

The victory sees 13th-placed Lierse move five points clear of the relegation zone, while Gent remain one point behind Anderlecht, who tackle third-placed Club Brugge on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Boubacar Diabang netted twice as Mechelen ran out 4-1 winners at home to Mons, who had Olivier Werner sent off in the 56th minute at the Argos Oil Stadion.

Goals in the second half from Igor Vetokele and Rudy were enough for Cercle Brugge ease past Westerlo 3-1 at home.

The defeat sees Westerlo slide to last place on the table after fellow strugglers St Truiden managed to gain a point with a 0-0 draw at home to Kortrijk.

Finally, Emmerik De Vriese scored with 10 minutes remaining to help OH Leuven salvage a point in their match at home to Lokeren.