Fenerbahce held to frustrating home draw, can’t pressure leaders Galatasaray

Yellow Canaries draw with Istanbulspor 3-3, visitors' forward Emeka Eze scores late equalizer to spoil Fenerbahce's party

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Spor Toto Super Lig title contenders Fenerbahce suffered an unexpected draw at home on Monday, so they were unable to pressure leaders Galatasaray.

Istanbulspor's Nigerian forward Emeka Eze scored a late equalizer as Fenerbahce were held to a 3-3 draw at Ulker Stadium in Kadikoy, which hurt the Yellow Canaries' title bid.

Fenerbahce's 18-year-old star Arda Guler scored twice, including a spectacular long-range missile.

Istanbulspor narrowed the gap to one in the 57th minute after North Macedonian winger Valon Ethemi scored from the penalty spot.

The visitors leveled the match after Ethemi put the ball into the net on a counter attack.

Fenerbahce once again took the lead in the match as Joao Pedro scored an easy chance after his Ecuadoran teammate Enner Valencia produced a classy assist in the 71st minute.

But Istanbulspor did not give up. In the 96th minute, Eze scored a diving header to spoil Fenerbahce's party and made the result 3-3. So the points were shared in Kadikoy.

On Sunday, leaders Galatasaray were held to a 3-3 home draw with VavaCars Fatih Karagumruk. But second-place Fenerbahce, who were expected to take a win on Monday, wasted their chance.

Galatasaray have 70 points in 29 matches. Their archrivals Fenerbahce have 64.

Third-place Besiktas boosted their points to 62 after they beat HangiKredi Umraniyespor 2-0 last weekend.

Istanbulspor, who bagged a point against Fenerbahce, are in 15th spot with 29 points.

Galatasaray will visit Besiktas in an Istanbul derby on Sunday, a critical match for the clubs in the league's top three.

Fenerbahce will take on Demir Grup Sivasspor in an away match on Saturday.

- Results:

HangiKredi Umraniyespor - Besiktas: 0-2

Kasimpasa - Arabam.com Konyaspor: 1-2

Adana Demirspor - Yukatel Kayserispor: 5-3

Galatasaray - VavaCars Fatih Karagumruk: 3-3

Bitexen Giresunspor - Medipol Basaksehir: 2-4

Fraport TAV Antalyaspor - Demir Grup Sivasspor: 1-2