Unfancied Sivasspor slays hosts Fenerbahçe in Super League action

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Fenerbahçe fell further behind in the race for the Spor Toto Super League crown tonight, suffering an unexpected 2-1 reverse to relegation-threatened Sivasspor despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession.

The loss overshadowed the return of Emre Belözoğlu after a six-month sojourn with Spanish side Atletico Madrid and Reto Ziegler, the Swiss international who also played last year for the Canaries. 

Sivas’ Nigerian marksman Michael Eneramo silenced the Şükrü Saraçoğlu crowd late on, heading in the winner in the 90th minute from a free kick in one of the Central Anatolian club’s rare forays into Fener’s end in the second half.

Although Fenerbahçe pressed against their guests relentlessly, it was Eneramo that put the visitors ahead in the 12th minute. The goal, however, was most remarkable for the ineffective goalkeeping of the Yellow Canaries’ number one, Volkan Demirel, who failed to deal with the Nigerian forward’s volley from a tight angle.

Fener immediately endeavored to return the game to parity and were gifted an excellent opportunity late in the first half when Sivas’ Ziya Erdal clattered into forward Moussa Sow, resulting in a penalty. Fener’s Dirk Kuyt, however, saw his powerful spot kick rebound off the bar.

Fener continued to push forward in the search for an equalizer, and the team was finally rewarded in the 55th minute when Cameroon’s Pierre Webo, playing his first match for the Kadıköy club since completing a winter transfer from Istanbul BB, headed home to level the score.

The home team continued to pour forward in search of the winner but was denied by the solid goalkeeping of Canada’s Milan Borjan despite wave after wave of attack, setting the stage for Eneramo’s late-game heroics.

With the loss, Fener remained in fourth place with 31 points, six behind the leaders Galatasaray. Sivasspor, meanwhile, put some daylight between themselves and danger, moving five points clear of the relegation zone to 26 points.

Trabzon destroys Gaziantepsor

Earlier today, Trabzonspor secured a convincing victory in its first game under new coach Tolunay Kafkas. The Black Sea Storm reconciled with its supporters at Avni Aker Stadium, scoring an impressive 4-1 success against Gaziantepsor with goals from Adrian Mierzejewski, Alanzinho, Gustavo Colman and Halil Altıntop. Dorge Rostand scored the only goal for the visitors. Despite the victory, Trabzonspor remained ninth with 27 points while Gaziantepspor ended the week dropping further toward the danger zone. Fifteenth with 21 points, the southeastern side only remains in safety by virtue of a better goal difference over Elazığspor, who is in the relegation zone.

Elsewhere, leaders Galatasaray again trotted out their smash transfer, Wesley Sneijder, but failed to impress in a 1-1 draw with Bursapor on Feb. 2. The 2010 champions took the lead in the 18th minute through Argentine striker Sebastian Pinto, but Galatasaray’s Umut Bulut equalized in the 30th minute with his 12th goal of the season.

Galatasaray remains top in the league with 37 points, four ahead of Antalyaspor. Beşiktaş is third on 32 points.