Eyüpspor achieved an impressive 1-0 victory over Sivasspor during their Turkish Super Lig clash, played on January 31, 2025, at the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium. This pivotal match marked the 22nd week of competition, with Eyüpspor continuing its upward trend in the league standings.
From the kickoff at 20:00, Eyüpspor showcased their determination, with early dominance leading to the match's defining moments. A key turning point occurred just ten minutes in when Uros Radakovic of Sivasspor received a direct red card after fouling Eyüpspor’s Prince Ampem, leaving the visitors with ten men. The officials—Atilla Karaoğlan, assisted by Anıl Usta and Seyfettin Ünal—set the tone for what would become a challenging night for the Sivasspor side.
Despite going down to ten players, Sivasspor held their ground, managing to keep the match level through the first half. Eyüpspor attempted to capitalize on their numerical advantage, with Mame Thiam missing close-range opportunities, including one header from Emre Mor’s delivery which skimmed the post.
After halftime, Eyüpspor appeared more aggressive, with immediate attempts to break through Sivasspor's defense. The standout efforts came from Emre Mor and Emre Akbaba, the latter especially troubling Sivasspor’s defense with near goals. Their resilience was evident as Sivasspor's goalkeeper, Ali Şaşal Vural, made several impressive saves, ensuring the score remained deadlocked.
Controversy arose again at the 85th minute when Sivasspor's Murat Paluli was sent off after VAR intervention overturned his initial yellow card to red, reducing Sivasspor to just nine players. This drastic shift left Sivasspor vulnerable and opened the floodgates for Eyüpspor to attack.
Finally, the match reached its climactic conclusion at the 89th minute when Eyüpspor's efforts bore fruit. A precise cross from Emre Mor found Mame Thiam, who directed the ball with his head past Vural, solidifying his team's 1-0 lead and marking the match's only goal. Eyüpspor celebrated as the referee blew the final whistle soon after, securing three valuable points.
This victory propelled Eyüpspor to 39 points on the leaderboard, significantly bolstering their position as they pursue greater ambitions within the league. Meanwhile, Sivasspor’s struggle continued, stuck at 23 points as the team grapples with the repercussions of not only the loss but also the ramifications of red card suspensions.
Eyüpspor’s triumph over Sivasspor serves as yet another highlight of their successful Super Lig campaign, demonstrating their potential to contend with established teams. Their performance is worthy of note as they aim to maintain this momentum going forward.