Belgian First Division: Standard Liege 3 Lokeren 0

A Mbaye Leye double helped Standard Liege record a convincing 3-0 victory over a 10-man Lokeren in Thursday’s Belgian First Division action.

The match, played as part of the season-ending Championship Playoff which will decide the First Division title in Belgium, was won thanks to Leye’s late intervention which put the result beyond doubt.

The 3-0 triumph also signalled Standard’s sixth successive win, giving them great momentum as the season draws to a close.

Lokeren striker Katuku Tshimanga was given his marching orders after 33 minutes when he received a straight red card and it lifted the hosts, who grabbed a goal in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time when Mehdi Carcela scored the opener.

But the match was still in the balance right until there were just seven minutes remaining, with Leye scoring just three minutes after he was introduced off the bench.

Former Wolverhampton defender Jelle Van Damme set up Leye’s second, which came just four minutes later, as Standard wrapped up another victory.

Standard now trail league leaders Genk by just one point with six matches left to play in the season.