Turkey round-up: Besiktas close gap on leaders

Two second-half strikes from Ilhan Mansiz were enough to move Besiktas JK to within three points of 1. Lig leaders Galatasaray SK, as they overcame city rivals Istanbulspor AS 2-1 on Sunday.

Mansiz on target
Istanbulspor started the stronger and tested visiting goalkeeper Thomas Myhre twice within the opening few minutes. But neither side could break the deadlock until three minutes after the break, when Dmitri Khlestov sent in a teasing cross from the right, which found Ilhan unmarked. The 26-year-old striker fired the ball into Istanbulspor's net, helped by a wicked deflection off Saffet Akbas.

Lead doubled
Besiktas continued to dominate and were unlucky not to double their lead in the 58th minute when their Tunisian midfielder Zoubier Baya crashed a shot against the bar. A minute later, however, Besiktas did extend their lead after Tümer Metin's quick throw-in caused confusion in the home defence, allowing Ilhan to pounce for his second of the match. Istanbulspor threatened a comeback ten minutes later when Cenk Isler pulled one back for the home side, but Besiktas held on to secure all three points.

Trabzonspor in charge
Elsewhere, Trabzonspor broke a run of four games without a win by beating struggling Samsunspor 2-1. A first-half goal from Hans Somers put Trabzonspor in control, and after Samsunspor's Vural Korkmaz was dismissed on the hour mark, they always looked favourites to win. Marco Aurelio headed home Kürsat Duymus' corner on 64 minutes, but ten-man Samsunspor refused to throw in the towel. Mehmet Hakki Hocaoglu ensured Trabzonspor endured a nervy final eight minutes when he volleyed Mehmet Nas' cross into the roof of the net.

Rizespor upset Gaziantepspor
In Sunday's other games, Gençlerbirligi SK dragged themselves out of the relegation places with a narrow 1-0 win at Kocaelispor thanks to Souleymane Youla's 73rd-minute goal, while lowly Rizespor caused the upset of the day by snatching a 1-0 win over fifth-placed Gaziantepspor. On-loan striker Hasan Özer put one over his former club by tapping in from close range on the stroke of half-time.