Belgium round-up: Mornar magic

RSC Anderlecht bounced back from last Thursday's disappointing UEFA Cup defeat to Stabæk IF with a 6-3 win over R. Excelsior Mouscron last night.

Return to form
The Brussels club went down 1-0 against the Norwegians at the Constant Vanden Stock stadium, but they returned to form in style with striker Ivica Mornar hitting a hat-trick. Anderlecht move into third place while Mouscron stay in seventh.

Poor start
Anderlecht started poorly, Mbo Mpenza giving the visitors a fourth-minute lead after skipping past a two players. But the home side pulled level just two minutes later when Belgian international midfield player Walter Baseggio found the net with a long-range strike.

Close call
Hannu Tihinen put Anderlecht 2-1 up in the 31st minute, heading in a Baseggio free-kick, and Mornar gave his side a two-goal advantage five minutes later after heading home Marc Hendrikx's cross. Mouscron continued to battle for every ball and pulled a goal back a minute before the hour mark, Claude Bakadal the man on target.

Mornar's moment
Anderlecht replied with another goal just two minutes later, Australian forward Clayton Zane sweeping a rebound into the net from Ki Hyeon Seol's initial shot. Koen De Vleeschauwer gave the travelling support another glimmer of hope when he made it 4-3. But Mornar was determined to seal all three points for his side and, after heading a goal from a Seol cross 12 minutes from time, he completed his treble two minutes later.