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Roberto Carlos uses his head

Roberto Carlos opened his Fenerbahçe SK account with a rare headed goal and Beşiktaş kept up their perfect league start ahead of their midweek matches.

Roberto Carlos opened his account for Fenerbahçe SK last night to boost the Turkish title-holders ahead of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round trip to RSC Anderlecht on Wednesday.

Rare header
The 34-year-old Brazilian was making his third league appearance since leaving Real Madrid CF and dived to head in Mateja Kežman's 30th-minute cross to seal a 1-0 win against Sivasspor to keep his team within three points of first place. "This is only the third headed goal of my career," Roberto Carlos said. "I am 34 but I feel powerful."

Goalkeeper injured
However, there was a blow for Fenerbahçe on the hour mark when goalkeeper Serdar Kulbilge, who made his full international debut for Turkey in midweek, suffered a knee injury and was replaced by Volkan Demirel, putting him in doubt for the visit to Belgium, where his team will defend a 2-0 lead. Zico, meanwhile, defended Kežman after recent criticism. "I couldn't understand the protests towards Kežman from our supporters," the coach said. He is a quality player and made an goal today. I hope he scores soon."

Beşiktaş boost
Turkey's other UEFA Champions League hopefuls Beşiktaş JK made it three wins out of three thanks to a player of a more recent vintage than Roberto Carlos as 16-year-old striker Batuhan Karadeniz came off the bench to score the only goal against Gaziantepspor five minutes into added time. Batuhan, nicknamed 'Batugoal' in homage to Gabriel Batistuta, produced a classy finish after being set up by fellow substitute İbrahim Akın to boost a team who welcome FC Zürich on Wednesday with the score at 1-1.

'Important win'
"It was a very important win ahead of the game against Zürich," Beşiktaş coach Ertuğrul Sağlam said. Some of our players couldn't keep their minds on the Gaziantespor game, but we claimed the three points in the last minute. No matter whose goal is was, it is important to win."