Fenerbahçe wins to take over league lead

A goal in the 84th minute by Cameroonian striker Pierre Webo gave the new leader the victory in a game Fenerbahçe had hoped to win more easily.

Fenerbahçe currently has 59 points with seven more games to go in the league competition, leading second-placed Beşiktaş and archrival Galatasaray, which are separated on goal difference, by one point.

Trabzonspor stunned Galatasaray 2-1 in Trabzon on April 19, while Beşiktaş eased past Kasımpaşaspor 5-1 in an away match on April 18.

Fenerbahçe coach İsmail Kartal said his side is “one step ahead of our rivals” in the race for the silverware.

“This game had two purposes; we both wanted to win and continue our run for the title and we knew that we would take over the lead in case of a victory,” Kartal told a post-game press conference. 

“Both teams have put on a good fight. I think that we deserved the victory a little bit more. I congratulate my players. Now that this game is over, we will start working for next week’s match at Eskişehirspor. It looks like the title race will go the wire, but we are one step ahead for now,” he said.

Bursaspor striker Fernandao leads the league in goals with 17, followed by Beşiktaş’ Demba Ba with 16 goals and Trabzonspor’s Oscar Cardozo, who has 15.