25 February 2019•Update: 26 February 2019
By Fatih Erel and Can Erozden
ISTANBUL
Turkish top-tier Spor Toto Super Lig giants Besiktas and Fenerbahce drew 3-3 in Monday's thrilling derby at Besiktas' home, Vodafone Park in Istanbul.
In the 10th minute of the showdown, Besiktas took the lead when their Turkish right back Gokhan Gonul fired a close range volley in the box.
Besiktas were awarded a penalty when Gokhan was fouled in the penalty box. The referee pointed the penalty spot after viewing this foul on the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) system.
In the 18th minute Besiktas' Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz converted the penalty successfully as they doubled the gap, 2-0.
Near the end of the first half Besiktas made it three when Burak netted the goal on a counter attack.
Besiktas led the first half.
In the 55th minute of the derby, Fenerbahce narrowed the gap to two. Fenerbahce winger Nabil Dirar passed the ball to the near post to find one of his teammates to score as Slovenian central midfielder Miha Zajc put the ball into Besiktas net.
In the 62nd minute, Fenerbahce central defender Sadik Ciftpinar's header beat Besiktas goalkeeper Loris Karius. Fenerbahce's French winger Mathieu Valbuena assisted Sadik since the second goal kept hopes alive for Fenerbahce.
Five minutes later Fenerbahce equalized the score as visitors' left back Hasan Ali Kaldirim fired a long range shot. Karius plunged the ball but he was unable to reach it.
Besiktas sit at third spot in the league table with 40 points, 11 points behind league leaders Medipol Basaksehir.
Fenerbahce, on the other hand, are currently passing through their worst season in the league's history, they are in 14th place with 25 points.
The other Istanbul club Medipol Basaksehir reign Super Lig with six-point lead.
In 23 league games this season, leaders Basaksehir have 51 points. They are followed by Galatasaray with 45 points in standings.
On Sunday, Galatasaray beat Akhisarspor 1-0 while Medipol Basaksehir defeated Bursaspor 3-0.
