The Super Lig title race may just have had its first casualty. Galatasaray beat Besiktas at the Turk Telekom Arena in the Istanbul derby to open up a four-point gap at the top of the table.
The reigning Super Lig champions will have to make up the points difference with just three games remaining.
Impossible? No, unlikely? Yes!
It was a game of fine margins. Alvaro Negredo missed a clear one-on-one chance with Galatasaray keeper Fernando Muslera on 21 minutes.
Nagatoma setup Fernando with the opening goal for the home side just moments later.
See More: Everton News: Cenk Tosun Has Had Just One Chance Created For Him In Last 4 Games
GOL!
Fernando!
Galatasaray take the lead against Beşiktaş! @lbertozzi pic.twitter.com/ClP9wE2CTs— Turkish Football (@Turkish_Futbol1) April 29, 2018
Besiktas boss Senol Gunes was then forced to take off Negredo who picked up an injury and replace him with Jeremain Lens.
Ryan Babel was forced to play as a makeshift forward. Early in the second-half Besiktas had another chance to score.
Babel had a clear one-on-one chance but sent the ball wide. The Black Eagles were not clinical in front of goal.
Galatasaray, on the other hand, did take their chances. Well other than from the penalty spot. Dusko Tosic was sent off on 70 mins for bringing down Bafetimbi Gomis inside the box. The French striker managed to hit the crossbar.
Garry Rodrigues was on hand to save Gomis’ blushes, scoring soon after to wrap up all three points.
GOL!
Garry Rodrigues doubles Galatasaray’s lead!
Could be a title defining moment! pic.twitter.com/SkadW6cTtZ— Turkish Football (@Turkish_Futbol1) April 29, 2018
Galatasaray had not won a single derby under Igor Tudor. Since Terim took chance they have not lost a derby.
In hindsight, the Lions used the winter period to bring in Fatih Terim and sort out their left-back issue by signing Nagatomo on loan from Inter.
Terim and Nagatomo played a huge role in the derby victory.
Besiktas meanwhile, sold star striker Cenk Tosun to Everton in January but failed to replace him. A prolific striker would probably have found the back of the net.
Galatasaray took a giant leap towards being crowned champions. It would be the 7th time Terim has lifted the Super Lig trophy. There is however, still three games remaining and if the title race has shown us is to expect the unexpected.
Galatasaray 2-0 Besiktas
Stadium: Türk Telekom
Referee: Fırat Aydınus, Serkan Ok, Aleks Taşçıoğlu
Galatasaray: Muslera, Mariano (min. 22 Linnes), Maicon, Denayer, Nagatomo, Fernando, Donk, Feghouli (min. 78 Sinan Gümüş), Belhanda (min. 84 Selçuk İnan), Rodrigues, Gomis
Besiktas: Fabricio, Gökhan Gönül, Pepe (min. 61 Vida), Tosic, Adriano, Tolgay Arslan (min. 81 Oğuzhan Özyakup), Medel, Quaresma, Talisca, Babel, Negredo (min. 35 Lens)
Goals: min. 23 Fernando, min. 70 Rodrigues (Galatasaray)
Red Card: min. 65 Tosic (Beşiktaş)
Yellow Cards: min. 4 Belhanda, min. 90+2 Fernando (Galatasaray), min. 44 Adriano, min. 76 Talisca (Beşiktaş)
