By Can Erozden
Galatasaray thrashed underdogs EMS Yapi Sivasspor 6-1 on Sunday to march towards the 2024 title and score the most points in a single Turkish Super Lig season record.
Following the emphatic win at home, Galatasaray increased their points to 96 in 35 matches to break a record in this field. The Lions may end the 2023-24 season on 105 points. The previous record holder were archrivals Fenerbahce, who bagged 93 points in the 1988-89 campaign.
Galatasaray made a flying start to the Sivasspor match. The Lions' Moroccan star Hakim Ziyech scored in the box in the 11th minute before his Belgian teammate Dries Mertens' gentle finish in the 38th minute at Istanbul's RAMS Park, ending the first half 2-0.
The visitors narrowed the gap to one in the 54th minute as Sivasspor defender Caner Osmanpasa made an easy finish after Rey Manaj nodded the ball to him.
A few minutes later, Galatasaray's Argentine star Mauro Icardi made it 3-1 for the home side. Right after Icardi's goal, Ziyech fired to score a brilliant goal outside the area as Galatasaray were rampant, making it 4-1.
Galatasaray did not stop as Mertens made it 5-1 in the 73rd minute after teamwork.
Icardi was on the scoresheet again to add another goal in the area as Galatasaray won the match 6-1 against mid-table Sivasspor.
Galatasaray have 96 points to be on top of the league and went seven points clear of archrivals Fenerbahce, who have a game in hand.
The Super Lig season, which is witnessing a thrilling title race, will end with match week 38.
Second-place Fenerbahce, the title contenders, will visit Tumosan Konyaspor on Monday evening, a critical match for the guests.
Konyaspor, who are 16th in the standings, have 36 points and are feeling the heat of relegation.