Club wins derby against Cercle 1-2

Club Brugge won the city derby against Cercle 1-2. Blauw-Zwart first came behind, but through goals by Brandon Mechele and Noa Lang Club crowned themselves as Ploeg van 't Stad after all.

Blauw-Zwart started with the same eleven as last Sunday against Genk. From the opening minute, Club claimed possession of the ball and created the first danger: a header by Mechele went well over goal. Cercle put up a double defense belt, making it difficult for Club to find openings. Paul Clement's team meanwhile lurked on the counter and even came close to the opening goal after fifteen minutes: defender Pavlovic crossed the entire pitch and was kept from a goal by a fine save from Mignolet.

That chance seemed to give Cercle wings, as two more opportunities followed moments later: Vitinho pushed through on the left and kicked the cross, while Biancone aimed straight at Mignolet from long range. The opening goal hung in the air and fell shortly before the half hour: Anthony Musaba suddenly got too much space in front of goal and kicked in the 1-0 from close range.

For Blauw-Zwart this was the signal to step up a gear. First Lang was unable to reach De Ketelaere and Vanaken, while moments later an effort by Vormer ended up with Dost, but he pounced on Didillon from close range. Club kept pushing and was able to equalize immediately afterwards: Kossounou spooned the ball beautifully in front of goal and there Brandon Mechele was able to head in the 1-1. Just before half-time, De Ketelaere tried to serve Dost, but Didillon was just in the way.

After the break, Club continued on the same lines. Dost just couldn't reach a cross from Lang and immediately afterwards De Ketelaere picked out a clever move. However, his deflection was kicked over goal by Vormer via a defender. Shortly afterwards Lang was unable to reach a teammate, but after a quarter of an hour the goal was finally struck: Dost dived into the space, laid wide to Lang and he tapped the ball into an empty goal.

The lead allowed Blauw-Zwart to slow down. Cercle tried to move towards Mignolet, but Club did not get into trouble. The Limburg goalkeeper easily saved shots by Musaba and Hotic. On the other side, substitute David Okereke threatened twice: first an attempt by the Nigerian was blocked and then he just could not reach Dost.

Even in the closing stages, Blauw-Zwart easily retained control. Okereke had a close-range collision with Didillon, while Cercle attacker Denkey headed well over. The final chord seemed to be Okereke's, but his goal was disallowed due to offside. So it remained 1-2 and Club Brugge crowned themselves again Ploeg van 't Stad. Blauw-Zwart keeps twelve points ahead of first pursuer Genk.

Jupiler Pro League - Playday 22
Spectators: none - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Nathan Verboomen
Cercle Brugge: Thomas Didillon - David Bates, Jérémy Taravel (67' Leonardo Da Silva Lopes), Strahinja Pavlovic - Giulian Biancone (84' Alexander Corryn), Dino Hotic, Charles Vanhoutte, Kevin Hoggas (63' Hannes Van der Bruggen), Vitinho - Anthony Musaba (84' Thibo Somers) , Iké Ugbo (84' Kevin Denkey). Coach: Paul Clement.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Clinton Mata, Odilon Kossounou, Brandon Mechele, Stefano Denswil - Ruud Vormer, Mats Rits, Hans Vanaken (75' Éder Balanta) - Noa Lang (63' David Okereke), Bas Dost (88' Eduard Sobol), Charles De Ketelaere. Bench: Ethan Horvath, Nick Shinton, Simon Deli, Federico Ricca, Youssouph Badji, Ignace Van der Brempt and Maxim De Cuyper. Coach: Philippe Clement.
Yellow cards: Denswil, Rits.
Red cards: none
Goals: 28' Musaba (1-0), 37' Mechele (1-1), 58' Lang (1-2).

Text: Steven Floin