Sporting Anderlecht took on first pursuer KAA Ghent in the top game of the 22nd matchday at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium on Tuesday 24th January 2012. With those two clubs, the best offence – Ghent – took on the best defence – Anderlecht – at the Astridpark. Despite taking a goal early, the victory was Purple & White thanks to goals by Milan Jovanovic (2) and Matias Suarez.

Anderlecht coach Ariël Jacobs carried through one substitution in comparison to the team which took on KV Kortrijk on Saturday: Behrang Safari took his left back position again and Olivier Deschacht started on the bench.

Anderlecht took control of the game immediately, but Ghent scored the opening goal early via Jesper Jorgensen. The Purple & White seemed a little shaken at first, but managed to turn the tide. A shot by Matias Suarez just went wide, Milan Jovanovic was stopped by the Ghent goalie and a header by Dieumerci Mbokani went long. Just before the thirtieth minute of play, the equalizer appeared on the board. Milan Jovanovic forced a corner, Ghent goalie Padt was able to avert it, but the ball reached the Serbian Sporting striker, who put in the 1-1 with a nice shot from a distance. The Purple & White immediately took over the game. An attempt by Dieumerci Mbokani was first averted, but a few seconds later the 2-1 did go in. Matias Suarez demonstrated why he won the Golden Shoe again at the Astridpark again. The Argentinian nicely passed his man, Ghent goalie Padt was able to avert the shot, but Milan Jovanovic managed to score his second goal of the evening. Sporting created several opportunities during the final stages of the first half, but Milan Jovanovic – again – was stopped by Padt and Dieumerci Mbokani did not get past the Ghent goalie either when he tried his luck with a distance shot.

There were not many scoring opportunities created in the first stages of the second half. Just before the sixtieth minute of play, Ghent pushed through via Coulibaly, but the striker was outsmarted by Silvio Proto. Ghent coach Sollied put in Mboyo and El Ghanassy. Still, Anderlecht took over again and created the most opportunities. The best one was created after sixty minutes, when Matias Suarez perfectly reached Guillaume Gillet’s head. The ball seemed to be going in, but the Ghent goalie made a brilliant save. The visitors were dangerous via El Ghanassy, but his shot went wide. On the other side Matias Suarez – after a pass by Dieumerci Mbokani – almost scored the 3-1, but goalie Padt was attentive and prevented a third Purple & White goal from going in. Five minutes before the final whistle the third goal did go in. Dieumerci Mbokani reached Matias Suarez, the Argentinian controlled the ball with his chest and scored the 3-1. Guillaume Gillet also put the Ghent goalie to the test during the final minutes of the game, but the score remained 3-1.

Thanks to this victory, Sporting Anderlecht now have nine points on first pursuer KAA Ghent. The Purple & White will visit Germinal Beerschot next Saturday 28th January 2012.