Five red cards as Fenerbahçe beats Beşiktaş in Istanbul derby

ISTANBUL

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An Istanbul derby between Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş on the night of Sept. 23 descended into farce amid five red cards, 10 yellow cards, and two penalties, with the home side Fenerbahçe eventually extending its unbeaten streak against the visitors to 15 games with a 2-1 victory.

Ricardo Quaresma was the first to be sent off for Beşiktaş after receiving two yellow cards before halftime. Fenerbahçe then lost Luis Neto for bringing down a player who was through on goal just before the break.

The visiting side than lost Atiba Hutchinson with five minutes left in the game for a second bookable offense, while Fenerbahçe’s İsmail Köybaşı was given a straight red card moments later for a dangerous tackle.

Beşiktaş’s Oğuzhan Özyakup then received a second yellow card and was sent off after the final whistle after he continued his verbal criticism of referee Ali Palabıyık. 

Palabıyık also sent Beşiktaş coach Şenpl Güneş to the stands in the second half, using his yellow card 10 times: Seven for Beşiktaş and three for Fenerbahçe.

Brazilian Guiliano and on-loan Tottenham Hotspur striker Vincent Janssen scored the homes side’s goals by successfully converting two penalties, while Beşiktaş’s late consolation goal came from former Liverpool frontman Ryan Babel.

The loss means that veteran Beşiktaş coach Güneş has yet to be on the winning side away at Fenerbahçe in his 29-year career as a player and coach.

Also on Sept. 23, a late goal by Petar Skuletic against Başakşehirspor at home gave Gençlerbirliği its first victory of the season.

In Konya, Konyaspor comfortably beat Akhisar 2-0 thanks to goals from Ömer Ali Şahiner and Patrick Friday Eze.

In Sept. 22’s game, Alanyaspor came from three goals behind to shock home side Trabzonspor, as Vagner Love’s hat-trick helped the visitors win 4-3.