Anderlecht 6-1 Mainz

Anderlecht served up their biggest win of the season to crush Mainz 6-1 in Brussels and move clear at the top of Group C in the Europa League.

Romania international Nicolae Stanciu and Poland forward Lukasz Teodorczyk both fired a double, while Youri Tielemans and Massimo Bruno helped themselves to goals as the Belgians ran riot.

Anderlecht, who now lead their group on goal difference from St Etienne, struck three times in the closing stages, twice in stoppage time, after Pablo De Blasis had hauled the Germans level in the first period.

Both sides came into the tie in indifferent form having won only one of their previous four matches respectively and there was little to choose between them in the first 45 minutes.

Anderlecht went close to taking an early lead through midfielder Alexandru Chipciu's effort from a tight angle and Mainz striker Jhon Cordoba headed narrowly wide before the Belgians took a ninth-minute lead.

Chipciu was the provider and fellow Romanian Stanciu arrowed a low angled shot from the right edge of the penalty area into the bottom corner.

But Mainz were soon back on level terms when Argentinian De Blasis despatched a low left-footed shot from inside the area beyond Anderlecht goalkeeper Davy Roef six minutes later.

Karim Onisiwo fired a long-range effort just wide soon after and Cordoba was just off target from the right edge of the area as Mainz threatened to take the lead.

But four minutes before the break Chipciu and Stanciu combined again to give Anderlecht a half-time lead, the latter converting low into the corner after collecting a pass in a central position on the edge of the area.

Chipciu's low shot forced Jonas Lossl into a fine save soon after the restart, but the Mainz goalkeeper was beaten for a third time in the 62nd minute when midfielder Tielemans lashed home an unstoppable low drive from 25 yards.

Mainz midfielder Yunus Malli twice blazed over when well placed midway through the second half and Cordoba also went close for the visitors with six minutes left.

But then the Germans fell apart. Teodorczyk headed home Diego Capel's cross in the 89th minute for his 12th goal of the season, Bruno tapped home following a swift break in the second minute of time added on and Teodorczyk converted a penalty after Stefan Bell handled in the closing moments.