Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 8:04 PM• Daniel Cabot Kerkdijk • Last update: 20:08

Fenerbahçe has again lost expensive points in the Süper Lig. The team of trainer Zeki Murat Göle did not get any further than a draw against Fatih Karagümrük on Wednesday evening, while the fellow townsman was on the field from minute 38 with two players less: 1-1. Fenerbahçe failed to step off the field as the winner in the last three league games.

The first half of the city derby could be there: two goals and two red cards. After just over half an hour of play, Volkan Demirel’s home team took the lead: after a fine pass from Ahmed Musa, Aleksandar Pesic escaped the offside trap and pushed the ball under goalkeeper Berke Özer. The Fenerbahçe players claimed offside, but referee Erkan Özdamar stood by his decision after viewing the footage.

A few minutes later, Fatih Karagümrük was suddenly on the field with two men less. Burak Bekaroglu received a shot from Dimitrios Pelkas from a rebound from close range, after a good save by Emiliano Viviano on a header, against his hand. Özdamar pointed to the spot and gave the defender a red card. Caner Erkin clearly disagreed and was allowed to resign after commenting to the referee. Mesut Özil then sent Viviano into the wrong corner from eleven meters: 1-1.

Despite the generous surplus situation, Fenerbahçe did not manage to control the game after the break. Derrick Luckassen made his entrance for the home team after the break as a replacement for Andrea Bertolacci. Ferdi Kadioglu was missing from the visitors due to injuries. Fenerbahçe also lost points in recent weeks against Gaziantep (3-2 loss) and defending champion Besiktas (2-2). The top club is fourth and is no less than sixteen points behind list leader Trabzonspor.