Club Brugge left it late in the clash with Antwerp. Club dominated with most possession, but with ten minutes on the clock it was a spot kick from Gustaf Nilsson that gave Club the three points.
Nicky Hayen made two changes to his line-up compared to last week's match at Genk, bringing on Joaquin Seys for Hugo Siquet as right back, while up front Christos Tzolis came on for Antonio Nusa, who had left Club earlier this week to join German side RB Leipzig. Played against his foot on the right, Seys proved industrious and dangerous from the very start, seeing his shot blocked by former Club player Denis Odoi. Just a few moments later Onyedika's effort struck a defender as well. At the other end, Chery forced Mignolet into making a smart save.
Fifteen minutes into the game Seys whipped in an arcing cross from the right to find the head of Nilsson, but the Swede's header was tipped against the crossbar by Lammens. Soon after, a Tzolis effort flew over Lammens' goal. Antwerp then found their feet again and carved out a few chances on the break. Mignolet parried away Kerk's shot and made a fine save on a first time strike from Janssen. Just past the half-hour mark Kerk got a touch on an Alderweireld header from close range, but fortunately for Club the ball went over.
Club regained control as time went by, with more pressure and a few half-chances. First Tzolis' cross just went past Nilsson in front of goal, quickly followed by an effort from the attacker in the turn that hit the side-netting. A cross from De Cuyper was cleared just before Nilsson could become dangerous. On the stroke of half-time Vanaken linked up with Tzolis, but a last-ditch tackle from the visitors prevented the Greek from trying his luck. When Skov Olsen did create some space for himself, his effort was saved by Lammens.
Club was quick off the mark again after the break: De Cuyper released Tzolis on the left-hand side, who slipped the ball back to De Cuyper, but his shot whizzed just over. Antwerp responded swiftly with a smooth counter-attacking move, but Ondrejka couldn't keep his effort low. At the other end Nilsson took Vetlessen chipped forward pass under control, but Alderweireld denied the striker in his attempt to open the scoring.
Nicky Hayen brought on Jutglà for Tzolis, but it was Antwerp that took over command of the game. Janssen was played in and he had an open shot at goal, but the flag had gone up. Moments later Chery was unable to pounce home a cross.
Hayen made two more substitutions by bringing on Siquet and Vermant for Seys and Vetlesen. That would turn out to be a brilliant move from the head coach. Five minutes later on, Lammens needed a good save on De Cuyper's effort. Vermant was close to tap in the rebound, but was brought down inside the area by Doumbia: penalty for Club! Gustaf Nilsson took his responsibility and slammed it home from the spot.
That goal looked like it took the edge off. Shortly after the opening goal Nilsson almost bagged a second, only to see his drive tipped over the crossbar by Lammens, and a few moments later his header just missed the target. While Antwerp were searching for the equalizer, they were down to ten when Odoi was booked a second time. In the end it was Club that scored a second time through Skóraś, but the Poland international had strayed offside and the goal was chalked off.
Jupiler Pro League - Match day 4
Audience: 26,000 - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Mr. Lothar D'Hondt
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Joaquin Seys (75' Hugo Siquet), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper - Hugo Vetlesen (75' Romeo Vermant), Raphael Onyedika (82' Ardon Jashari), Hans Vanaken - Andreas Skov Olsen (82' Michał Skóraś), Gustaf Nilsson, Christos Tzolis (64' Ferran Jutglà). Bank: Nordin Jackers, Dani van den Heuvel, Zaid Romero, Jorne Spileers and Chemsdine Talbi. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Royal Antwerp FC: Senne Lammens - Jelle Bataille, Toby Alderweireld, Zeno Van Den Bosch, Denis Odoi - Mandela Keita, Tjaronn Chery (78' Christopher Scott), Mahamadou Doumbia (87' Jairo Riedewald) - Gyrano Kerk (65' Anthony Valencia), Vincent Janssen, Jacob Ondrejka. Coach: Jonas De Roeck.
Yellow: Doumbia, Odoi, Nilsson, Van Den Bosch.
Red: 87' Odoi (2x yellow).
Goal: 81' Nilsson (penalty, 1-0).