Sporting Anderlecht had to visit KV Kortrijk, the current number four on the league table, as part of the 21st matchday of the Jupiler Pro League. Not an easy thing to do, as the Kerels from West-Flanders are playing a strong season and also can show good results in home matches. The Purple & White won 0-1 at the Guldensporen Stadium after a difficult match, thanks to a penalty converted by Guillaume Gillet.

Anderlecht coach Ariël Jacobs started with the same eleven who started against Club Brugge on Sunday and won 3-0. Patou, one of Sporting’s two new Congolose players, was on the bench for the first time.

Not a lot of scoring opportunities were created during the first twenty minutes of the match. A header by Marcin Wasilewski just went wide and an attempt by Jovanovic hit the crossbar. On the other side, Monrose just missed Silvio Proto’s goal. The Purple & White had a hard time to create scoring opportunities, the home team pushed through and regularly tested the Purple & White defence. Deschacht, for instance, had to keep Chavarria from scoring after a cross by Monrose. Still, Anderlecht opened the score just before half-time. Matias Suarez was fouled in the box and referee Laurent Colemonts awarded a penalty to RSCA. Guillaume Gillet remained calm and put the 0-1 in. Kortrijk immediately had the chance to score the equalizer right after that, but Monrose missed after a centre by Chavarria, as a result of which the team from Brussels went into half-time with a 0-1 lead.

At the beginning of the second half Sporting were close to scoring a second goal a few times. First Jovanovic hit the outside of the post and then Dieumerci Mbokani faced the Kortrijk goalie alone, but Van Hout was able to turn the attempt into a corner. The Purple & White kept on pressuring the West-Flanders defence, but were not able to score a second time. Kortrijk kept on believing in their chances, but a header by N’Diaye hit the crossbar. The home team did everything within their power during the final minutes of the match, but the score remained 0-1, three important points for Sporting Anderlecht.

The next league match will take place at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium next Tuesday 24th January. The Purple & White will receive first pursuer KAA Ghent at the Astridpark. Kickoff of that match will take place at 8 p.m.