Tolu Arokodare nets winner on debut as Genk defeat Gent

Tolu Arokodare scored the winner on his debut for KRC Genk to help them secure a 3-2 win over KAA Gent in their Belgian Pro League clash. The lanky striker was joined on the scoresheet by compatriot Collins Yira Sor.

Having sanctioned the deadline-day sale of Paul Onuachu, Genk were without their top goalscorer for their trip to Gent and they went behind after only nine minutes when South Korean midfielder Hyunseok Hong opened the scoring for the home side. Ghanaian forward Joseph Paintsil equalised for Genk in the 23rd minute, continuing his fine run of form this season.

Having started on the bench, the pair of Tolu Arokodare and Sor were thrown on in place of Mbwana Samatta and Bilal ElKhannouss, respectively, after 65 minutes of the encounter.

Sor needed only two minutes on the pitch to add his name to the scoresheet. The young winger headed home a cross from Mike Tresor Ndayishimiye for his second goal for the club since joining last month.

With the game nearing its conclusion, Arokodare grabbed his debut goal in the 86th minute. The 22-year-old received a pass from Nicolas Castro before firing the ball into the back of the net.

Belgian striker Lauren Depoitre pulled one back for the home side one minute later to set up a nervy end to the game.

Genk held on for the win and moved seven points clear of second-place Union Saint Gilloise, having picked up 62 points from 24 matches this season.