ANDERLECHT have finally picked up their first win of the season with Vincent Kompany forced to watch from the bench. The former Manchester City captain has endured a difficult spell following his emotional return to his boyhood club as player-manager. Since Kompany’s arrival, Anderlecht had picked up just two points from a possible 15. Last […]
ANDERLECHT have finally picked up their first win of the season with Vincent Kompany forced to watch from the bench.
The former Manchester City captain has endured a difficult spell following his emotional return to his boyhood club as player-manager.
Since Kompany’s arrival, Anderlecht had picked up just two points from a possible 15.
Last week he named himself captain but was forced to hobble off in the second half with a hamstring injury.
Kompany, 33, stepped down as manager and handed the responsibility to assistant coach Simon Davies who is now in charge of matchday tactics.
And it may be no coincidence that Kompany’s latest setback has sparked Anderlecht into life.
Taking on top of the table Standard Liege and with confidence low, Anderlecht could have easily have rolled over.
But Alexis Saelemaekers scored the only goal of the game in the 31st minute as Kompany watched on.
Kompany had only juggled the role of player/manager for four league matches but he opted to stand down after a terrible start to the season.
An opening day defeat was followed by two 0-0 draws and any optimism coming from those clean sheets was wiped away by a stunning loss at Kortrijk on Saturday.
Another former Manchester City man, Samir Nasri, put the Brussels club ahead before four second-half goals resulted in a 4-2 loss.
And things weren’t going to get any easier when they lost to champions Genk.
So it proved – Mbwana Samatta scored the only goal of the game to leave Anderlecht and Kompany 13th in the 16-team Belgian league.
