Turkey League Wrap 20: Top four fail to register a win
It was a crazy round of football in the Turkish Super Lig this weekend with none of the top four sides managing to record a victory.
Besiktas and Istanbul Basaksehir all lost on the road while Galatasaray managed to lose 2-1 against relegation battlers Kayserispor. Fenerbahce failed to make up lost ground after blowing their lead against 10 man Bursaspor in the last minute following a controversial penalty decision.
Meanwhile, if real world football is proving a little to crazy.
Turkey League Wrap 20
The first shock of the round came on Friday night when Karabukspor defeated league leaders and reigning Super Lig champions Besiktas. The Black Eagles seemed to be suffering a hangover from their heated clash with Fenerbahce last weekend.
Fenerbahce – who were victors in their cup clash agaisnt Besiktas last week- also seem to be suffering a hang-over as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bursaspor. However, the Yellow Canaries fans have reason to feel aggrieved following a controversial late penalty award to Bursaspor.
The weekends surprising results continued when title challengers Istanbul Basaksehir were hammered 4-0 by an out-of-form Kasimpasa.
Galatasaray looked set to capitilise from their rivals mistakes as they took on Kayserispor in the rounds final game. However, the visitor’s ripped up the script when they took a 2-0 lead going into half time. The Lion’s looked shell shocked and were unable to find the equaliser late in the second half.
Turkish League Talking Points
All eyes were on how Besiktas and Fenerbahce would respond to their heated encounter in the Turkish Cup last Sunday.
The Yellow Canaries recorded a 1-0 win over at Besiktas however, the scoreline was the last thing on fans minds. Former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie was at the centre of the controversies when he theatrically went down when Besiktas defender Dusan Tosic – stupidly – thrust his head into Van Persie’s face.
Following brawls at half time and after the game Fenerbahce decided to release a t-shirt of Van Persie’s goal celebration.
Tosic’s wife Jelena Karleusa responded by announcing that she will release her own t-shirt of the moment Tosic confronted Van Persie.
The weekend shenanigans seem to have taken their tole on both sides as neither looked up to the pace this weekend and both dropped points.
Winners of the week:
The winners of the 20th round of the Turkish Super Lig ironically are both Fenerbahce and Besiktas. The former managed to catch up a point on all three of their rivals while the Black Eagles managed to remain at the top of the League table despite a defeat on Friday night.
Galatasaray meanwhile come out feeling the worst after blowing a opportunity to overtake Basaksehir and go within two points of Besiktas.
Trabzonspor’s impressive second half on the season has continued following their 1-0 win over Osmanlispor. January signing Olcay Şahan scored the goal of the weekend to wrap up all three points for the Black Sea Storm.
Ersun Yanal’s side have recorded four wins in a row and find themselves in sixth place with 30 points.
Results
Karabükspor 2 – 1 Beşiktaş
Alanyaspor 3 – 0 Gençlerbirliği
Osmanlıspor 0 – 1 Trabzonspor
Bursaspor 1 – 1 Fenerbahçe
Akhisar 1 – 0 Rizespor
Konyaspor 1 – 1 Antalyaspor
Galatasaray 1 – 2 Kayserispor
Gaziantepspor 17 : 00 Adanaspor
