David and Khalaili hand Union a win against Zulte Waregem

The opening stages at the Joseph Marien Stadium were cautious, with few clear-cut chances. Union were without key players Mac Allister, Zorgane – away at the Africa Cup of Nations – and the injured Florucz. Coach Hubert opted to start with a striking partnership of David and Giger.

Union began sluggishly and the first chance fell to Zulte Waregem. Erenbjerg broke down the right flank and pulled the ball back. Sykes made an initial save, but Aké had a close-range opportunity. The Frenchman, however, failed to hit the target.

Union responded almost immediately. Burgess went up for a header, which was flicked on by the Waregem defence to Niang. He controlled the ball on his chest, but took too long to get his shot away, making it harmless.

Zulte Waregem then missed a golden opportunity. Erenbjerg nodded the ball on to Ementa. The Dane played Aké through on goal, leaving him one-on-one with Scherpen, but his effort went wide.

In the 34th minute, Union were awarded a free kick after a foul on Van de Perre. Rasmussen delivered, but slightly overhit his cross. Sykes managed to keep the ball in play and sent it towards goal. The Waregem defence headed it clear for a corner. Ait El Hadj took it, the goalkeeper saved, and the ball fell back to Ait El Hadj, who swung it in again. Promise David was perfectly positioned and headed home: 1-0. Union’s first shot on target immediately resulted in a goal.

Union were given a scare late in the first half. Leysen appeared to have the ball under control, but Erenbjerg pounced and suddenly created a dangerous situation, fortunately without consequence. Union then threatened again as Niang slipped the ball into the box for Giger, whose low effort failed to beat Gabriël. At half-time, the verdict was clear: Zulte Waregem had been more dangerous, but Union more clinical.

After the break, Union took the upper hand and thought they had doubled their lead early in the second half. From a corner, Giger flicked the ball on with his head to Khalaili, who headed in. However, VAR intervened and ruled the goal out for offside.

Zulte tried to respond. Soglo dribbled past Khalaili and then Sykes before attempting a shot, but he made poor contact and posed no real threat.

Union kept pressing for a second goal. Once again, danger came from a corner. Sykes powered a header towards the corner, but Gabriël produced a fine save to push it wide.

In the 75th minute, Khalaili finally made it count. Niang surged down the left flank and, with a bit of luck, managed to continue his run. He picked out Khalaili, who finished coolly: 2-0.

In the closing stages, Zulte Waregem pushed for a consolation goal, but failed to register a single shot on target. A ball that sailed just over the crossbar came closest.

Union end the year with a home victory and can breathe a sigh of relief after a difficult spell in the league. With his goal, Promise David moves to the top of the scoring charts with eight goals. The final match of 2025 will be played next week away at Cercle Brugge.