Fenerbahçe conserves momentum with last-gasp heroics

ISTANBUL

Defender Egemen Korkmaz surged to send a loose ball in the Bursaspor area into the net after a Fenerbahçe free kick during the Yellow Canaries 3-2 win on Nov. 2. AA photo

Fenerbahçe kept up its momentum in the Super League by winning its third consecutive game away in Bursa on Nov. 2 with a last-gasp goal. The Yellow Canaries' rival, Beşiktaş, which impressed during the first weeks of the season, continued its run of draws with a goalless encounter against Kardemir Karabükspor on Nov. 3.

Pierre Webo and Emmanuel Emenike put Fenerbahçe 2-1 in front in the second half after Bursaspor opened the scoring with Ferhat Kiraz in the 20th minute.

The Crocodiles, coached by former Fenerbahçe manager Christoph Daum, equalized through Batalla in the last seconds of regular time. However, just as in previous weeks against Kasımpaşa and Kayseri Erciyesspor, Fenerbahçe found enough resources to clinch the victory. Seconds before the end of additional time, defender Egemen Korkmaz surged to send a loose ball in the Bursaspor area into the net after a Fenerbahçe free kick.

In contrast, Beşiktaş came up against the robust defense of Kardemir Karabükspor and was unable to find the path to goal. The Black Eagles were playing their first home game in Kasımpaşa's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium and their second behind close doors, with only the attendance of women and children, due to the ongoing ban for the unsavory incidents after the derby match against Galatasaray. The club hosted their previous matches in Istanbul's Atatürk Olympic Stadium due to the rebuilding of its home İnönü Stadium.

"I am not concerned, but I am not satisfied either. We have to improve our finishing skills to close the gap with the teams above us. We also have to be more threatening," Beşiktaş coach Slaven Bilic said about his team's drop in form.

After the weekend's games, Fenerbahçe stays on top with 25 points, trailed by Kasımpaşa which comfortably defeated Kayseri Erciyespor 3-0. Galatasaray moves third on 19 points after a 2-1 victory over Torku Konyaspor, leaving Beşiktaş fourth with 18 points. Trabzonspor is fifth after a crushing 4-0 win against Sanica Boru Elazığspor.

The Nov. 4 matches could change the order among the leading pack as Eskişehir and Sivasspor, both on 16 points, visit Gençlerbirliği and Gaziantepspor respectively.