Anderlecht, which could not count on the slightly injured Théo Leoni, had to compete against Cercle’s fierce pressing, as expected. RSCA did look for the opening goal and came close when Thorgan Hazard, after a clever attack and ditto feint, hit the far post with a pivoting ball. Moments later it was a prize when Kasper Dolberg (37), who got possession of the ball in a scramble, beat Cercle goalkeeper Warleson wide. The people of Brussels had the wind in their sails and after another nice attack, Anders Dreyer (40.) – on the edge of offside – scored the 0-2 halftime score.
With the 0-3 just before the hour, on a pass from Dreyer and after not really decisive defending from the home team, Mario Stroeykens (59.) closed the books. Cercle was on the canvas and Anderlecht was able to finish the match calmly.
The Purple & White remain second in the standings with 27 points, behind leader Union (28 points), which will host Club Brugge later on Sunday (6:30 PM). Cercle (21 points) is fourth. Anderlecht will make the trip to AA Gent next weekend on the fourteenth matchday. Cercle plays the derby against Club Brugge ‘on the road’.