Galatasaray beat Trabzonspor 2-1 in snow-hit game, take 12th straight win in Turkish league

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Spor Toto Super Lig leaders Galatasaray beat Trabzonspor 2-1 in a Sunday snow-hit game to earn their 12th consecutive win in the domestic league.

Visitors Trabzonspor scored a very early opener in the 12th second after a mistake by Galatasaray player Lucas Torreira, who misjudged a ball near the Galatasaray box.

Maxi Gomez scored an easy chance after his teammate Abdulkadir Omur intercepted the ball on loose, which shocked Galatasaray at the Nef Stadium in Istanbul.

Galatasaray, however, leveled in the 18th minute as Belgian forward Dries Mertens scored in the area after an assist by Argentine star Mauro Icardi. The ball hit the bar to go in the back of the net.

The first half ended 1-1.

Galatasaray were awarded a penalty kick in the 51st minute of the second half as Turkish winger Yunus Akgun was brought down in the area by Trezeguet.

Icardi converted the penalty, sending Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir to the wrong way. Galatasaray came back from deficit.

In the 85th minute, Galatasaray's Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera had to leave the pitch on a stretcher as he faced a right foot injury in a tackle with Trabzonspor defender Marc Bartra. He was subbed out.

So Galatasaray secured a 2-1 win to go nine points clear of second-placed Fenerbahce.

After the match, Galatasaray said on Twitter that Muslera will undergo medical examinations to determine his injury.

Galatasaray's nearest opponents in standings, Fenerbahce have 45 points but they have a game in hand this week. On Monday, they will play against Konyaspor in Istanbul.

Having 54 points in 22 matches, Galatasaray equaled a club record after their 12th straight win in the Super Lig. The Lions have also won 15 games in a row in all competitions this season to extend their record.