Published
2026-02-21
Sykes heads Union past Antwerp in stoppage time
Union secured a 2-1 home victory over Antwerp this evening. The Brussels side looked set to drop more points after Valencia’s equaliser, but deep into stoppage time Sykes rose centrally to head home the winner and secure all three points. Union now sit alone at the top of the table, two points clear of Sint-Truiden.
Union needed a win at home to protect their position at the summit. After just one minute, they were already threatening. Sykes delivered a cross into the box, David flicked it on with a header and Burgess fired from close range, but his effort was straight at goalkeeper Nozawa. Moments later, the ball fell to David again, but he failed to get his shot on target.
At the other end, Kerk suddenly broke in behind the Brussels defence. Chambaere was late to react, but Kerk mishit his cut-back and the ball rolled out of play.
From a corner, Nozawa was called into action once more. Khalaili kept the ball in play with an excellent sliding challenge to Mac Allister. The Argentine tried to control and shoot in one motion, but the Japanese keeper made the save.
Just before half-time, Union deservedly took the lead. Fuseini nodded the ball on to David, who struck powerfully. With a slice of luck, the ball went in off Van Den Bosch and the post: 1-0.
Antwerp came out strongly after the break. Praet had the first attempt but fired wide. Six minutes into the second half, the visitors found the equaliser. Janssen benefited from a fortunate ricochet, laid it off to Valencia, who made it 1-1.
Union regrouped. David attempted a lob over the advancing Nozawa, but the ball hit the post. Khalaili then tried his luck, but shot straight at the keeper. Shortly afterwards, David was stretchered off following a collision with Foulon, hopefully without serious injury. On the counter-attack, Antwerp thought they had taken the lead, but Kerk was flagged offside.
Fuseini suddenly found himself one-on-one but rushed his shot over the bar. Patris attempted an audacious backheel, but the effort was deflected by the Antwerp defence. The match seemed destined to end in a draw until Sykes stepped up in the 90th minute. From a set piece, Khalaili delivered a perfect ball onto Sykes’ head, and he powered an unstoppable header into the far corner: 2-1. Union maintain their two-point advantage over Sint-Truiden.