Belgian First Division wrap: Anderlecht crowned champions

6 May 2012 20:56

Anderlecht have secured their 31st Belgian First Division title after salvaging a 1-1 draw with Club Brugge on Sunday.

Brugge went ahead in the 72nd minute via 19-year-old striker Maxime Lestienne but the hosts were awarded a penalty and Guillaume Gillet converted the resulting spot kick to send the fans into raptures.

The title is Anderlecht's second in three years.

Ariel Jacobs' men will gain automatic entry into the Champions League group stages should Bayern Munich prevail in the final against Chelsea on May 19, however, a place in the third qualifying round beckons if Chelsea win.

Anderlecht hold a seven-point lead over Brugge with two more games to go, against Kortrijk and Standard Liege respectively.

Meanwhile, Genk condemned Standard Liege to a second successive defeat, winning 3-2 at the Stade Maurice Dufranse.

Genk did leave it late, smashing home the winner in the 88th minute.

Imoh Ezekiel had bagged his first ever goal for Standard after 35 minutes before goals from Daniel Tozser and Jelle Vossen put the visitors ahead eight minutes in the second half.

Venezuelan Luis Seijas equalised on 63 minutes but an 88th-minute Christian Benteke goal sent Genk home with all three points.