Fenerbahce win at home to cling to Turkish league title race

By Can Erozden

Fenerbahce beat a nine-man Siltas Yapi Pendikspor 4-1 at home with late goals in a Sunday Trendyol Super Lig match to keep its grip on the league's thrilling title race.

Visitors Pendikspor scored the opener in the first half as Turkish winger Halil Akbunar scored a header at the far post in the 30th minute at Istanbul’s Ulker Stadium.

Fenerbahce midfielder Mert Hakan Yandas scored a spectacular goal outside the area in the 59th minute to level the match.

The home team piled on the pressure, seeking the winning goal.

Pendikspor were down to 10 men as their defender Welinton was sent off after a foul on Fenerbahce forward Edin Dzeko in the 71st minute. Welinton had been previously booked.

In the 85th minute, Fenerbahce were awarded a penalty after Badou Ndiaye's tackle on Fenerbahce's Irfan Can Kahveci. Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi scored the winner from a penalty shot.

Arnaud Lusamba, a Pendikspor midfielder, was booked twice to leave the pitch. He was shown a yellow card for a foul, but he protested the referee by sarcastically applauding him to be sent off in the 91st minute.

Fenerbahce, which controlled the game after the winner, scored again.

After exchanging passes, Fenerbahce's Turkish left-back Ferdi Kadioglu scored in the 95th minute to cement their win.

Turkish midfielder Kahveci added another near the end of the game as Fenerbahce won the match 4-1 to keep chasing their archrivals Galatasaray, who now narrowly top the league table.

This season Istanbul teams Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are in a heated title race.

Galatasaray, which crushed Caykur Rizespor 6-2 at home on Friday, have 78 points in 29 matches.

After their home victory, second-place Fenerbahce increased their points to 76.

After Galatasaray and Fenerbahce there is a huge points drop-off to third-place Trabzonspor, which has only 49 points.

Fenerbahce will visit Trabzonspor on Sunday while Galatasaray will stay in Istanbul but will play an away game against fifth-place Kasimpasa.