Club Brugge recorded a smooth 3-0 win against Standard on their own field. Blue-Black took the lead through Tresoldi and decided the game before halftime thanks to an owngoal by Bates and a header by Ordóñez.
The Bruges core of players was plagued by illness. Vermant, Tzolis, Spileers, Reis and Sandra all had to drop out of the game. Tzolis was replaced up front by Tresoldi, while at the back Ordóñez - back from suspension - took Spileers' place. The Brugge side pushed forward from the opening minute, with two chances right away: a shot by Stanković was caught by Pirard, while an effort by Diakhon went wide.
The Rouches put up a double wall, making it difficult for Club to find openings. After fifteen minutes, Vanaken was able to launch Forbs once, but his shot was saved by Pirard. The ensuing corner kick landed at the far post by Mechele, who saw his volley fly into the side netting. A free kick by Stanković also flew into the side netting and an Ordóñez header landed on the roof of the goal.
The deserved 1-0 finally came ten minutes before halftime: Sabbe flicked the ball in front of goal and Nicolò Tresoldi tapped it in from close range. Moments later a shot by the same Tresoldi was blocked. Blue-Black clearly remained in control and was able to score twice more at the break: first a shot from Forbs caprized into goal via Pirard and Bates, and immediately after Ordóñez headed in a corner kick from Forbs.
Standard started the second half with three fresh forces and could also threaten immediately: substitute Mohr headed a Mortensen cross just wide. The Bruggelings were not impressed and went in search of a fourth goal. Pirard saved two attempts by Forbs, Tresoldi was unable to put enough power into his shot after a long rush, and Pirard also parried a shot by Sabbe.
The Liège players were no longer in a position to put Club in trouble and so Blauw-Zwart continued to monopolize the ball. Tresoldi deviated a cross from Meijer just wide and goalkeeper Pirard saved each time on attempts by Diakhon, Tresoldi and Onyedika. In the final minute, a header by substitute Nilsson went just wide. It remained 3-0 and Club took an easy victory. The gap to leaders Union remains five points.
Jupiler Pro League - Playday 24
Spectators: 26.000 - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Bram Van Driessche
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Kyriani Sabbe (67' Hugo Siquet), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys (67' Bjorn Meijer) - Aleksandar Stanković, Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken - Carlos Forbs (85' Shandre Campbell), Nicolò Tresoldi (85' Gustaf Nilsson), Mamadou Diakhon (78' Hugo Vetlesen). Bench: Nordin Jackers, Vince Osuji and Félix Lemaréchal. Coach: Ivan Leko.
Standard Liege: Lucas Pirard - Ibe Hautekiet, David Bates, Josué Homawoo - Marlon Fossey (46' Steeven Assengue, 69' Daan Dierckx), Henry Lawrence, Nayel Mehssatou, Gustav Mortensen - Adnane Abid (46' Tobias Mohr), Dennis Eckert Ayensa (46' Timothé Nkada), Rafiki Saïd. Coach: Vincent Euvrard.
Yellow cards: Bates, Homawoo.
Red cards: none
Goals: 34' Tresoldi (1-0), 45' Bates (owngoal, 2-0), 45+2' Ordóñez (3-0).