The festive season is now upon us and in Belgium there were plenty of gifts being given out in round 16 of the Belgian Pro League.

Friday’s action: Standard Liege triumph in Mechelen

Standard picked up a huge away win against KV Mechelen on Friday evening to kick start the Pro League weekend. A solitary goal from substitute Denis Eckert was enough to give the side all three points, and they were definitely thankful that their hosts were off the boil. This was a sub par performance from top six chasing KV Mechelen but Standard Liege won’t care at all. That is just one defeat in five for Standard in all competitions.

Saturday’s action: Goal fest in Dender, stalemate in Charleroi

Saturday kicked off with a four goal epic between Dender and Westerlo. The away side missed a penalty when Isa Sakamoto saw his attempt saved by Guillaume Dietsch in the Dender goal. Just before half-time, the inform David Toshevski punished Sakamoto to give Dender a lead. The Japanese forward was replaced at half-time, with Westerlo scoring almost immediately through Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, who showed Sakamoto how to take a spot kick. Bruny Nsimba regained the lead for Dender just minutes later, but the side at the bottom of the Pro League were unable to hold out for a second win of the season. Just eight minutes after Nsimba’s goal, Nacho Ferri made it 2-2 and earned his side a draw.

Zulte Waregem also shared the spoils with Cercle Brugge on Saturday evening. Anton Tanghe gave the hosts a lead in the 26th minute from the spot, but just after half-time struggling Cercle drew level through Edgaras Utkus. Neither could force a winner, although Cercle will be disappointed that they managed 13 shots on goal but ended with an xG of just 0.81.

Another draw to end Saturday, and it appeared goals were becoming harder to come by as the day went on. RAAL La Louviere have played out a lot of 0-0 draws this season and they did the same against Charleroi. The Zebras dominated possession (64%) and chances (16 shots) but failed to make any of it count. Another fine performance from Argentine Marcos Peano, who has quickly become one of the best goalkeepers in the Belgian Pro League this season.

Sunday’s action: Top two lose, Sint Truiden get revenge for Wouter Vrancken

Sunday kicked off with Antwerp travelling to Brugge to face Club. Antwerp have been poor in the Belgian Pro League, yet the post Stef Wils era got off to a great start. With Joseph Oosting watching on ahead of taking over this week, the Great Old battled to a surprising 1-0 away win. It could have been better had Farouck Adekami scored his 80th minute penalty. The initialy attempt was well saved by young Dani van den Heuvel, who replaced the injured Simon Mignolet at half-time. On the follow up, Adekami blazed the ball over the bar. His blushes were spared when, just minutes after entering the game, young winger Youssef Madaoui did well out wide, squaring for Mauricio Benitez to score an 88th minute winner.

Daan Heymans continues to produce in a Genk shirt this season, grabbing the winning goal against OH Leuven. Mujaid Saddick had given the dominant Genkies the lead in the second half, only for Sory Kaba to equalise in the 78th minute. Just a short while later, Heymans struck to make it 2-1 and grab his fifth goal since moving from Charleroi in the summer. After a early new manager bounce, OH Leuven have lost two in a row now.

Union St Gilloise were unable to take advantage of Club Brugge’s shock defeat to Antwerp. The league leaders faced Anderlecht in the Brussels derby and it was a disappointing return to Lotto Park for former Anderlecht head coach David Hubert. He saw his Union side lose 1-0 after an early goal from the impressive Nilson Angulo. The Ecuadorian winger has now scored four goals and provided five assists in 21 games this season, already more than he managed in 39 appearances last year. The Mauves have now won five games on the bounce.

Unlike Hubert, Wouter Vrancken enjoyed his return to a former side on Sunday evening. Sint Truiden travelled to Gent and, despite going 1-0 down in the first half to Wilfried Kanga, came back to win 2-1. Former Antwerp winger Arbnor Muja scored a fine solo goal to make it 1-1 before Anderlecht loanee Keisuke Goto grabbed his fifth goal of the season to earn the Canaries all three points. Sint Truiden have, like Anderlecht, but together a run of five wins in a row as they solidify their position in the top six.

League Table

Top scorers

Images courtesy of FotMob