Anderlecht Dominate Rivals Standard with 3-0 Victory, Lukaku Joins in Celebrations

Anderlecht secured a commanding 3-0 win over rivals Standard Liège in front of club icon Romelu Lukaku, who joined the celebrations at Lotto Park. Goals from Simic, Dolberg, and Dreyer gave the Brussels side a crucial victory as they closed the gap on league leaders Genk.

It was a memorable afternoon in Anderlecht’s home ground, Lotto Park, where the purple and white side comfortably dispatched their arch-rivals, Standard, in the Jupiler Pro League clash. With Anderlecht legend Romelu Lukaku watching from the stands alongside his sons and brother, the home team made sure to put on a show for the former star. Goals from Jan-Carlo Simic and Kasper Dolberg in the first half set the tone, before Anders Dreyer sealed the result in stoppage time.

Early Pressure from Standard

Standard, playing without their travelling supporters due to recent fan disturbances, started the match brightly, putting Anderlecht under pressure in the opening minutes. Coach Ivan Leko had promised a fiery encounter, and his team initially delivered. However, they quickly found themselves on the back foot.

The breakthrough came after just nine minutes when young defender Jan-Carlo Simic opened the scoring with a powerful header from a corner. Standard goalkeeper Epolo should have done better with the effort, but the ball found its way into the net, giving Anderlecht an early lead.

Shortly after, the home crowd erupted in applause as Romelu Lukaku, who had returned to watch his old club, was given a rousing ovation from the stands. However, Lukaku’s presence seemed to cause some jitters within the Anderlecht defence, with both Simic and Zanka looking unsteady at times. Despite these moments of vulnerability, Standard lacked the sharpness to capitalise on any errors.

Anderlecht Take Control

Anderlecht gradually asserted themselves in the game, without ever fully dominating proceedings. The purple and white were guilty of some wasteful passing, but their efficiency in front of goal proved decisive. Kasper Dolberg doubled the lead just before the half-hour mark with a clever piece of play, using his movement to create space before firing a shot that caught Epolo off guard. The goalkeeper’s positioning was questionable once again, as Dolberg’s swerving effort found the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Despite the scoreline, Standard never really looked like getting back into the match until late in the second half. Zeqiri’s shot, following good work from Ilay Camara, seemed destined for the net, but Coosemans was equal to the task, preserving Anderlecht’s two-goal cushion.

Dreyer Adds the Finishing Touch

With Standard unable to break down the Anderlecht defence, their modest attacking efforts fizzled out. A final opportunity saw Ayensa head straight at Coosemans, but the Liège side never seriously threatened to mount a comeback. In stoppage time, substitute Anders Dreyer added the finishing touch to a professional performance from the hosts. Dreyer controlled a long ball and calmly slotted home, putting the result beyond any doubt.

Anderlecht’s 3-0 victory marked their first league win since mid-August and provided a significant morale boost as they continue their climb up the Jupiler Pro League table. The result leaves them within touching distance of league leaders Genk as they enter the international break. However, it remains to be seen whether interim coach David Hubert will still be at the helm after the break.

Post Match Reactions

After the match, Anderlecht goalkeeper Colin Coosemans reflected on the significance of the victory:
“A match against Standard always has an extra layer. If you can win 3-0, you can be very happy about the result – and also about the game. The efficiency made the difference, because in the first half the game was quite balanced. After that, we stayed focused.”

When asked about the future of interim coach David Hubert, Coosemans was supportive but diplomatic:
“He’s doing well, he’s a good communicator, and he’s tactically strong. But it’s not up to me to make decisions. The bond between coach and players is certainly there.”

As Anderlecht celebrate their triumph, Standard are left to reflect on their continuing struggles. With only five goals in ten games, their scoring woes persist, leaving them stuck in the lower half of the table.