Monaco 0 - 2 Anderlecht: Monaco facing Europa League elimination after losing at home to Anderlecht

Posted Friday, November 27, 2015 by PA

Anderlecht put qualification for the knockout stages of the Europa League back in their own hands with a 2-0 win at Group J rivals Monaco.

The French side were unbeaten in their four home European matches this season, and could have joined English club Tottenham in the next round with victory.

However, midfielder Guillaume Gillet fired the Belgians into the lead during first-half stoppage time, with Frank Acheampong wrapping up all three points with a crucial second goal in the 77th minute.

Anderlecht now head into their final match at home to Qarabag knowing another victory would be enough to take them through, no matter Monaco's result against Tottenham in London.

It had been a positive opening from Leonardo Jardim's side, with Stephan El Shaarawy and Mario Pasalic both getting into shooting positions.

On 20 minutes, Anderlecht goalkeeper Silvio Proto had to be alert to tip away a 20-yard effort from El Shaarawy.

There was, though, little the Monaco number one Danijel Subasic could do against Gillet's opener.

A corner from the left found its way out to Youri Tielemans on the other side of the penalty area.

His floated cross was then headed out to Gillet, who returned it straight back into the top left corner.

Early in the second half Proto again denied El Shaarawy with another impressive save at full stretch.

With 13 minutes left, Anderlecht made sure of victory. Defender Serigne Mbodji sent a hopeful punt up field, which saw Acheampong get ahead of substitute Almamy Toure to stab the ball past Subasic into the top left corner.