The Purple & White took three important points in the struggle for second place on Sunday night, thanks to the 3-1 home victory over Sporting Charleroi. The gap with leader Club Brugge is now five points again.
Two surprises in coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s starting line-up: Olivier Deschacht played for the first time again since his return to the A-squad. Andy Najar also came back after months of injury trouble. In the front, Silvère Ganvoula replaced the absent Lukasz Teodorczyk. Everyone played with black armbands to honour the Polish striker’s deceased brother. RSCA started the game eagerly, but had to wait a while for big opportunities to arise. Charleroi had difficulties with the pressure and, right before half-time, Pieter Gerkens scored after a great assist by Morioka. Baby, who had his goal disallowed earlier because he had fouled Sá, hit the post with a header on the other side.
The Purple & White started the second half the same way as the first, but Ryota Morioka was not able to beat Penneteau. Five minutes later on, the Japanese player did score on one of the many Anderlecht corners. Twenty minutes before the end, Kaveh Rezaei put in the 2-1, but Leander Dendoncker soon ensured the win by scoring after a free kick by Trebel. Charleroi tried, but the Purple & White kept the three important points at home.
RSCA : Matz Sels, Josué Sá, Leander Dendoncker, Olivier Deschacht, Andy Najar (66' Alexis Saelemaekers), Kenny Saief (82' Francis Amuzu), Adrien Trebel, Sven Kums, Pieter Gerkens, Ryota Morioka (90' Lazar Markovic), Silvère Ganvoula
Goals : 44' Gerkens (1-0), 58' Morioka (2-0), 70' Rezaei (2-1), 73' Dendoncker (3-1)
