With Standard and Westerlo, two top 4 candidates were diametrically opposed to each other on Saturday. The fact that play-off competitor Club Brugge had received a mule from KV Oostende on Friday only added to the importance of the match.
But the weight of the game turned out to be no burden for the home team. Standard went furious and dominated an unrecognizable Westerlo before the break. After 37 minutes, Dønnum took the well-earned lead, he was the end station of a glorious combination.
Westerlo, which has already conquered many football hearts this year with fresh and fruity football, was unable to make arrows out of wood and would not get anything done after the break. Standard played great football at times and controlled the game, Sclessin enjoyed it to the fullest.
Twenty minutes before the end, Balikwisha took care of the decisive 2-0, an impotent Westerlo no longer pressed. Standard’s party evening did get a blow in the absolute final minutes, after a clumsy red for goalkeeper Bodart, who hand-hit a ball outside his rectangle.
Standard will have to go to Bruges without a first goalkeeper next week, where it can confidently start the top match against Club. With a win, the Rouches can dive into the top four over blue-black.
