Galatasaray get morale boost win before Besiktas derby

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Galatasaray beat VavaCars Fatih Karagumruk 2-0 in a Turkish Spor Toto Super Lig match Friday -- a morale boost for the Lions before next weekend's Besiktas derby.

Home team Fatih Karagumruk were down to 10 men in the first half at Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium after Adnan Ugur was sent off for a foul against midfielder Lucas Torreira in the 33rd minute.

Turkish defender Emre Tasdemir scored a header in the penalty area to give Galatasaray a 1-0 lead in the 60th minute.

Near the end of the match, Spanish midfielder Juan Mata doubled the gap for the Lions with a close-range finish. It was Mata's first goal for Galatasaray.

The win ended Galatasaray’s three-game winless run in the league.

They were handed two draws and one loss in October.

Galatasaray moved to the third spot with 21 points in 11 matches.

Fatih Karagumruk have 12 points and are 12th in the Super Lig standings, currently led by Fenerbahce with 23 points.

In the next fixture, Galatasaray will face archrivals Besiktas in a derby clash on Nov. 5 at home.