Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş draw in historical derby

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

Besiktaş' Mustafa Pektemek (C) fights for the ball with Fenerbahçe's goalkeeper Volkan Demirel (L) and Caner Erkin (R) during their Turkish Super League derby soccer match at Şükrü Saraçoğlu stadium in Istanbul Nov 30, 2013. REUTERS photo

Fenerbahçe and Besiktaş drew 3-3 in a fascinating Turkish Super League match that witnessed a breathtaking game and a number of controversial positions.

In addition to six goals that boosted the thrill, there were six yellow cards and two red cards that were distributed evenly to both sides in the last derby of the year, which took place on Nov. 30 in Fenerbahçe’s Sükrü Saraçoğlu stadium.

Emmanuel Emenike and Moussa Sow catapulted Fenerbahçe to the lead, overturning Beşiktaş’s Olcay Sahan’s early opener. However, after Raul Meireles’s red card, Hugo Almeida struck twice in three minutes, ending the first half in favor of Beşiktaş.

The second-half, which was mostly dominated by Fenerbahçe, brought a draw for the home team with the final goal scored by Dirk Kuyt late in the second half.

The Yellow Canaries maintained their top seat by raising 32 points - seven points ahead of second-placed Kasımpaşa - while Beşiktas remained at third place.

Fenerbahçe also managed to extend its imperious run; the club is red hot with 10 wins and two draw in 13 matches, avoiding defeat since an opening-day loss to Torku Konyaspor.