Anderlecht's chances ran at double their norm in a 4-1 win

Anderlecht beat KVC Westerlo 4-1 at Lotto Park, scoring three times in the six minutes before half-time on chances far better than their usual ones.

Anderlecht scored three times in the six minutes before half-time, and the match was largely settled before the interval. Cvetković opened the scoring at 40, Stroeykens doubled the lead at 43 and Aasgaard made it three at 45. Westerlo had already been shown a yellow card by then, Charai's at 38, and they went in trailing by a distance they had not expected to be.

The most telling figure is the quality of the chances. Expected goals is a rough measure of how clear a chance was, judged by where and how it was taken, and Anderlecht's total of 2.63 was roughly double their usual 1.29 at home. It also sits well above the league figure of 1.32 chances' worth per side per match, so this was a strong attacking display by any standard, not just by their own.

Anderlecht did not hold the ball more than usual, though. They had 54% possession, below the 61.9% they average at home, which suggests they were quicker to make the most of the ball than to keep it. Westerlo's 46% was a little under their 50.1% away average, so the balance of possession shifted less than the chances did.

Anderlecht also had 22 shots, well above their home average of 14.7 and the league norm of 12.8 per side. Only eight of them were on target, so many of those attempts were blocked, wide or off target, and the quality of the best ones did the damage. Westerlo managed 12 shots, slightly below their away average of 13.9, and the fewer efforts they made were of lower quality too.

Westerlo's chances were worth 0.77 in total, well under the 1.44 they usually create on the road. Anderlecht gave up less than usual as well, because the chances they conceded at home were worth less than the 1.05 they typically concede. Westerlo's late goal, from Storm at 81 after Sandra's assist, was their only reply, against a side that averages 2.8 goals away from home.

Anderlecht's four goals came from a side that usually scores one at home, and Ambros's effort at 60 made the scoreline look comfortable by the hour mark. Charai, Stroeykens and Omobamidele were among the players booked, but none of the cautions changed the shape of the game. The match ended with five goals, which is more than the league's average of 3.2 per game.

Anderlecht now have 16 points from nine home matches, while Westerlo have 14 from nine away.

Player of the matchMario Stroeykens1 goal8.2

Amando Lapage1 shot on target8.2

Lukáš Ambros1 goal7.9

Jayden Onia Seke5 chances created7.9