Anderlecht sweep aside Sivasspor

RSC Anderlecht put one foot in the UEFA Champions League play-off round after a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Sivasspor in Brussels.

De Sutter double
First-half goals from Tom De Sutter, Mbark Boussoufa and Thomas Chatelle put the Belgian side in charge at the break. Another strike from De Sutter and a further one from substitute Nicolas Frutos wrapped up the victory as Anderlecht sought to make up for the disappointment of their elimination at this stage of the competition last season at the hands of FC BATE Borisov.

Early breakthrough
Even before the deadlock was broken, Boussoufa went close twice for the hosts, hitting the side-netting with one effort and forcing visiting goalkeeper Michael Petkovic into a smart stop with another. Belgian international De Sutter then struck in the 17th minute when he headed in Chatelle's corner from the left. Midway through the first half it was two as good work from Matias Suarez resulted in Moroccan striker Boussoufa firing in between two defenders.

Late goals
With just over half an hour gone the Turkish side were staring at a heavy defeat when Chatelle struck, the midfielder following up Marcin Wasilewski's shot which came back off the post. After the interval the visitors held firm until De Sutter received a pinpoint pass from Wasilewski to claim his second of the night with 14 minutes remaining. Frutos then lobbed Petkovic for the fifth in injury time to give Les Mauves a very healthy advantage for next week's second leg in Sivas.