This week saw reigning Super Lig champions Galatasaray get smashed by Trabzonspor. Fenerbahce suffered another shock defeat while a Loris Karius blunder cost Besiktas the three points against rivals Bursaspor.
Trabzonspor 4-0 Galatasaray
Away trips to Trabzonspor are never easy but nobody envisioned the boys from the Black Sea putting four past Galatasaray. The home side ran amok with Nigeria international putting his side ahead on three minutes. Tony Nwakaeme went onto score a brace before half-time and then Leeds United loanee Caleb Ekuban rubbed salt in the wounds with his debut strike just before the final whistle. Ekuban’s goal went down a treat among the Leeds faithful who have a rivalry against the Lions to match Trabzonspor.
To make matters worse Younes Belhanda got himself sent off for a horrible challenge and could face a lengthy suspension.
Galatasaray headed into the game having won their previous three games but did lose star striker Bafetimbi Gomis before the transfer deadline without replacing him.
Trabzonspor meanwhile strengthened in most areas and could genuinely put up a title challenge as long as they don’t implode – which they quite often do.
GOLAZOOO! Ekuban ! dk’90+2
Trabzonspor 4 – 0 Galatasaray pic.twitter.com/skSgANg1dP— ????????! ?????? (@GOLAZOOOSports) September 1, 2018
See More: ‘Build Him A Statue’ – Leeds Fans React On Social Media After Ekuban Scores Against Galatasaray
Fenerbahce 2-3 Kayserispor
The Yellow Canaries season is going from bad to worse. After such high expectations following a change in management and direction with Ali Koc taking over as club president Fenerbahce now find themselves having lost their last three games. Swansea loanee Andre Ayew and Leicester City loanee Islam Slimani both scored but it did not prove to be enough. Kayserispor scored all three goals in the second half and managed to take three points on the road despite playing the last 10 minutes with 10 men after Samil Cinaz got shown a red card.
Fenerbahce need time. Change requires patience. The only problem is that managers are rarely given time or patience in Turkey. Phillip Cocu will be given more time but if he does not start to turn things around he will be walking a tightrope real soon.
?Fenerbahçe-Kayserispor: 2-1
⚽️57’ Islam Slimani pic.twitter.com/9qzEnRkKEm— Goallum TV (@GoallumTV) September 1, 2018
Bursaspor 1-1 Besiktas
Liverpool loanee Loris Karius was thrown into the deep end on his Super Lig debut. Bursaspor and Besiktas are huge rivals. This is never an easy away trip for the Black Eagles but they got off to the better start from Oguzhan Ozyakup setup Ryan Babel with the 51st minute opener.
Karius also got off to a great start after making an excellent one-on-one stop against Allano while the scores were level.
The 25-year-old did however, make an error in the 86th minute after misjudging a cross which ended up in Bursaspor equalizing.
I have to give credit to the Besiktas fans however, as they did not turn their back on Karius afterward. There was a huge show of support from the Black Eagles fans and the shot-stopper is expected to keep his place in goal.
GOLAZOOO! Ekuban ! dk’90+2
Trabzonspor 4 – 0 Galatasaray pic.twitter.com/skSgANg1dP— ????????! ?????? (@GOLAZOOOSports) September 1, 2018
Erzurum 0-1 Basaksehir
Basaksehir recorded an away win against the most eastern based side in the league thanks to a goal and man of the match display by Irfan Can Kahveci. That’s nine points from a possible 12 for the Istanbul based side.
Kasimpasa 2-1 Ankaragucu
It is no shock that an Istanbul club is top of the league. What is a surprise is that Kasimpasa are first. Having won all four games. Once against Mbaye Diagne was on target, netting his sixth goal in four games.
Super Lig Wrap
Elsewhere Konyaspor beat Malatyaspor away from home. Turkish Cup and Super Cup champions Akhisar were held to a 1-1 draw against Sivasspor. Alanyaspor beat Goztepe 1-0 while Antalyaspor recorded a 2-1 victory over Rizespor.