Champions Genk made the perfect start to the defence of their Jupiler League crown with a 3-1 victory over Germinal Beerschot.

The game was all but over with 55 minutes still to play as Genk raced into a 3-0 lead with goals from Daniel Tozser (20), Elyaniv Barda (31) and David Hubert (35). Gary Kagelmacher's 74th-minute penalty proved to be no more than a consolation for Beerschot.

Standard Liege drew 1-1 at Mons as former Wolves defender Jelle van Damme's 67th-minute strike for Standard cancelled out an effort by Ebrahim Savaneh in the 41st minute.

Oleg Lachtchouk's 80th-minute penalty helped Cercle Brugge to a 1-0 win away to Gent, while Mechelen were 2-1 home victors against St Truiden. Boris Pandza (66) scored Mechelen's opener but Gregory Dufer levelled three minutes later, and it took Julien Gorius' 83rd-minute goal to seal it.

Lierse drew 1-1 at 10-man KV Kortrijk as Brecht Capon's 53rd-minute penalty drew the home side level four minutes after Ernest Webnje Nfor had been sent off. Milos Maric had earlier given Lierse the lead (17).

The day's other game between Lokeren and Zulte-Waregem finished goalless.