Red mist envelops Besiktas

Besiktas JK were on course to lose their first Super League match of the season today when their match against Samsunspor was abandoned because the champions only had six players left on the pitch.

Three dismissals
In the first round of matches since the winter break, it was 1-1 at half-time after Serkan Aykut had scored for Samsunspor and Daniel Pancu for the league leaders, who had seen Antonio Zago, Ibrahim Üzülmez and Ahmet Yildirim all sent off.

Red mist
Adnan Güngör put the visitors ahead in the 50th minute and Serkan Aykut made it 3-1 five minutes later before Stelian Kirita increased the advantage. Pancu was then sent off for tackling from behind and Ilhan Mansiz was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence. It was at this point - with the score at 4-1 - that the referee brought a halt to proceedings. The result will be decided following a meeting of the Turkish Football Association's (TFF) disciplinary board.

Demirel heroics
Second-placed Fenerbahçe SK overcame Istanbulspor AS 1-0 thanks to a 13th-minute goal from Fabio Luciano. Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel made a string of fine saves to ensure his team clinched all three points. Galatasaray SK, meanwhile, were held to a goalless draw by Diyarbakirspor on Friday, the same day that Sebatspor defeated Denizlispor 2-1.

Missed chance
Third-placed Trabzonspor suffered a surprise 3-0 loss to Konyaspor while Gaziantepspor enjoyed a 3-2 win over Bursaspor and Sebatspor started the second half of the season with a 2-1 victory against Denizlispor. In other games, Malatyaspor came out 2-0 winners against Adanaspor AS and MKE Ankaragücü comfortably beat Rizespor 4-1.