Club Brugge proved the better team in this season's first city derby, sending Cercle "home" 3-0. Taking the lead shortly before halftime through Mechele, Club added a second through Tzolis, only to really put it to bed with a Skov Olsen second half goal.
Coach Nicky Hayen stuck to the team that claimed the win at Dender last week. As is usually the case, Cercle put fierce pressure, leaving the hosts no time and space to build up at ease. The first danger also came from Cercle, but Bruninho's shot went over and wide. Ten minutes into the game, Club seemed to take the lead from its first opportunity, as Tzolis cut free and shot it in, but ref Vergoote disallowed the goal because of a prior hand ball by Skov Olsen.
Muslic's team continued to press fiercely, but it was Club that forced most of the chances: Warleson saved a shot by Skov Olsen and was also able to clear a Vetlesen cross just in front of Tzolis. Moments later, Vanaken was able to cash in on a pass from Tzolis, but the Greek appeared to be a foot offside. Warleson was then able to clear the leather just before Skov Olsen broke through and also grabbed a shot from the Danish winger. At the other end, Mignolet was also called into action to deny Agyekum and Minda.
Club was clearly in control, and deservedly took the lead five minutes before halftime. Nilsson with the header back into the box to find Brandon Mechele to head in the 1-0. That goal gave Blauw-Zwart wings, as two more giant chances came immediately after. Nilsson took a De Cuyper cross in one go, but the leather went wide. Immediately after, Skov Olsen cleverly wrongfooted Warleson, but his shot was cleared from the line by Ravysch. Then, deep into injury time, it worked out after all. Onyedika launched Skov Olsen with a beautiful cross pass. The Dane gracefully put the leather in his stride and put it perfectly in front of goal, where Christos Tzolis was able to tap in the 2-0 from close range.
A chance for substitute Felipe Augusto immediately followed after the break, but Mignolet had an excellent reflex. A warning sign for Club, fortunately coming with an appropriate reaction: shots by Skov Olsen and Vanaken went wide, while Warleson was able to parry a low shot by Vetlesen. Ten minutes into the second half, the 3-0 finally came: Vetlesen teeing up Skov Olsen by the right hand side, who tucked it into the short corner.
The result clearly beyond doubt by now, Cercle was no longer able to ask Club any questions. Nicky Hayen offered Siquet, Jutglà and Talbi, and later Skóraś and Vermant some playing time. Club created some good chances, but Warleson saved Jutglà's shot and Vetlesen's rebound. The Brazilian also had an excellent reflex on a close-range effort by Vetlesen. In between, a shot by the well-installed Talbi went over goal. A thoroughly deserverd third win for Club, helping the team rise in the league.
Jupiler Pro League - Match day 6
Audience: 26,000 - Jan Breydel Stadium
Referee: Mr. Jasper Vergoote
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Joaquin Seys (63' Hugo Siquet), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper - Hugo Vetlesen, Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken (63' Ferran Jutglà) - Andreas Skov Olsen (68' Chemsdine Talbi), Gustaf Nilsson (81' Romeo Vermant), Christos Tzolis (81' Michał Skóraś). Bench: Nordin Jackers, Dani van den Heuvel, Zaid Romero, Ardon Jashari and Jorne Spileers. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Cercle Brugge: Warleson - Gary Magnée (46' Abdoul Kader Ouattara, 62' Kazeem Olaigbe), Christian Ravych, Senna Miangue, Flavio Nazinho - Lawrence Agyekum, Bruninho (83' Erick Nunes), Hannes Van der Bruggen (62' Abu Francis) - Thibo Somers, Kevin Denkey, Alan Minda (46' Felipe Augusto). Coach: Miron Muslic.
Yellow: Miangue, Ouattara.
Red: none
Goals: 39' Mechele (1-0), 45+3' Tzolis (2-0), 55' Skov Olsen (3-0).