Fenerbahçe kept the Turkish title race alive on Sunday as they won 1-0 with 10 men at leaders Galatasaray in an electric İstanbul derby.
The victory in the “intercontinental derby” moved Fenerbahçe, from the Asian side of the Bosphorus, to three points behind their bitter rivals with one round of games to play.
Third-placed Trabzonspor are 32 points behind Fenerbahçe.
Sunday’s result means the top two can finish level. If they do, Fenerbahçe will take the title because head-to-head results are the first tiebreaker in the Super Lig. The teams drew in December.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 22nd minute when Alexander Djiku received a second yellow card – one of 11 in the game. The visitors played through fusillade of abuse and projectiles as they deprived Galatasaray of the chance to clinch the title at home.
Fenerbahçe scored the only goal in the 71st minute when Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera flapped at an in-swinging corner.
Derrick Kohn blocked the ball on the line but it fell to former Leicester City center back Çağlar Söyüncü, on loan from Atletico Madrid, who poked home from close range.
Fenerbahçe climbed to 96 points, their highest tally in the Super Lig. They host last-placed İstanbulbulspor in the final round next Sunday.
Galatasaray visit lowly Konyaspor, needing just a point to clinch their 24th league title.
© Agence France-Presse
