Gent cuts gap on Anderlecht

Ilombe M'Boyo scored twice for Gent, with Remi Mareval, Juan Andreu Melli, Soumahoro Yaya and Jesper Jorgensen also on target in the emphatic win.

That result, coupled with Anderlecht's stalemate, meant the leader's advantage was trimmed to seven points with seven games remaining.

Elsewhere, an early brace from Chelsea target Kevin De Bruyne helped sixth-spotted Genk thrash struggling Leuven 5-0.

Jelle Vossen and Thomas Buffel were also on the scoresheet in the first half, with substitute Christian Benteke completing the rout 13 minutes from time.

Benjamin De Ceulaer, Nill De Pauw and Hamdi Harbaoui grabbed the goals in Lokeren's 3-2 home win over KV Mechelen, the visitor replying through Jaime Ruiz and a last-gasp Ibrahima Gueye own goal.

Finally, first-half goals from Boban Grncarov and Wesley Sonck earned Lierse a 2-0 triumph at second-bottom Westerlo, and KV Kortrijk and Zulte-Waregem battled out a goalless draw.