Club Brugge won the topper against Anderlecht 2-1 at home. Blauw-Zwart dominated and took an early lead through Romeo Vermant. Chemsdine Talbi appeared to take the final decision fifteen minutes before time, but Simić was able to score in the closing stages. Club stood firm and took a well-deserved three points.
Nicky Hayen made two changes to the team that went down in Milan: Andreas Skov Olsen and Romeo Vermant replaced Chemsdine Talbi and Ferran Jutglà. The first danger of the match came from the visitors, but Dreyer kicked the leather wide. After eight minutes, the first Bruges threat was an immediate winner. Tzolis was able to get the ball away from Simić to serve Romeo Vermant. The young striker did not hesitate and scored his very first goal for Blauw-Zwart!
A dream scenario for Club, which clearly remained in control. Coosemans had to save Tzolis' shot and intercept a De Cuyper cross. Around the half hour mark, Club stepped up a gear and one chance after another followed: a hard shot by Jashari whizzed over the crossbar and Coosemans had excellent saves on shots by Tzolis and Skov Olsen. Shortly after, a header by Vanaken stranded on the roof of the goal.
Ten minutes before halftime, Club again came close to a second goal. De Cuyper painted the ball onto Vermant's head but his header went over goal. Anderlecht proved unable to put Club in trouble and, thanks to Coosemans, did not suffer further damage. On the stroke of half-time, the goalkeeper had an excellent reflex on a shot by Onyedika in the top corner.
After the break, the Bruges players continued their good work. After only a few minutes, Tzolis was able to tap in a Skov Olsen cross, but after a lengthy delay, VAR Erik Lambrechts disallowed the 2-0 on the grounds of offside. Moments later, Vanaken's header went over the bar and Skov Olsen could not frame his shot. The visitors were able to counter, but Mignolet was alert to a shot by Stroeykens.
With the lead still narrow, Club had to be careful, so halfway through the second half, they stepped up their game. After a fine attack, Skov Olsen headed straight at Coosemans, a hard shot by Onyedika whizzed wide and a deflected shot by Jashari went wide. The deserved 2-0 finally fell fifteen minutes before time. Vanaken launched the freshly substituted Talbi, who put the far-out Coosemans in the wind and slid the 2-0 in.
Immediately after, Vermant extended a cross from Talbi over goal and also saw his hard shot fly over the crossbar. Moments later, his replacement Jutglà headed the ball wide. Club seemed to regret these misses because two minutes before time, Jan-Carlo Simić headed in the 2-1. Anderlecht now threw everything forward, giving Blauw-Zwart room to counter. After a fine counterattack, Skóraś curled the ball wide. Deep into injury time, Club almost got the lid on its nose. Ashimeru's hard shot went wide, De Cuyper managed to clear the ball just before the line, and in the absolute final seconds, Jörgensen kicked the ball wide. It remained 2-1, giving Club Brugge a well-deserved three points.
Jupiler Pro League - Matchday 12
Spectators: 29,000 - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Jasper Vergoote
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Joaquin Seys (69' Kyriani Sabbe), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper - Raphael Onyedika, Ardon Jashari (95' Jorne Spileers), Hans Vanaken - Andreas Skov Olsen (69' Chemsdine Talbi), Romeo Vermant (80' Ferran Jutglà), Christos Tzolis (80' Michał Skóraś). Bench: Nordin Jackers, Dani van den Heuvel, Zaid Romero, Hugo Vetlesen, Casper Nielsen and Gustaf Nilsson. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
RSC Anderlecht: Colin Coosemans - Killian Sardella, Jan-Carlo Simić, Leander Dendoncker, Moussa N'Diaye (91' Mathias Jörgensen) - Mats Rits, Theo Leoni (57' Majeed Ashimeru) , Yari Verschaeren (57' Francis Amuzu) - Anders Dreyer, Kaper Dolberg (68' Luis Vazquez), Mario Stroeykens (68' Samuel Edozie). Coach: David Hubert.
Yellow cards: Leoni, Dendoncker, Dolberg.
Red cards: none
Goals: 8' Vermant (1-0), 76' Talbi (2-0), 88' Simić (2-1).