Fenerbahçe secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Hatayspor at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium during the 18th week of the Turkish Super Lig, solidifying their position within the league as they chase leaders Galatasaray.
The match began with immediate excitement as Fenerbahçe's Youssef En-Nesyri opened the scoring early on. Following skillful interplay between Dusan Tadic, Edin Dzeko, and En-Nesyri, the Moroccan forward found the back of the net with precision, putting his team up 1-0 just 17 minutes in. Fenerbahçe's fans erupted with cheers, energized by the fast start.
Despite Fenerbahçe's initial lead, Hatayspor responded resiliently. Bilal Boutobba equalized for the visitors at the 33-minute mark. He capitalized on defensive errors, finding the net after the ball deflected off Fenerbahçe's Filip Kostić, leveling the score at 1-1.
Throughout the first half, Fenerbahçe appeared frustrated, struggling to regain their lead until late drama unfolded. Just before the halftime whistle, En-Nesyri would strike again. A corner from Kostić fell fortuitously to En-Nesyri, who made no mistake and sent the ball home, giving Fenerbahçe the 2-1 advantage.
Manager José Mourinho's team maintained the pressure and looked to extend their lead, but missed opportunities kept Hatayspor within reach. Notably, Osayi-Samuel had been substituted off earlier, and En-Nesyri nearly assisted Dzeko, but the Hatayspor defense held strong.
Throughout the second half, Fenerbahçe took control, with the Hatayspor goalkeeper, Erce Kardeşler, making several noteworthy saves, ensuring the score remained close. Mourinho spoke to the media post-match, acknowledging the challenges his team faced.
"We worked hard during the pause, ensuring our readiness for this match. It was great to see En-Nesyri on form, and we needed this win to keep pace with Galatasaray," said Mourinho.
Hatayspor’s struggles continued as they remain deep within the relegation zone, searching for only their second victory of the season. Sportif Direktör Yılmaz Bal, who managed the team after their parting with Rıza Çalımbay, expressed disappointment at the loss but remained hopeful for future matches. "Although we are under pressure, we will push on; our aim is to gather as many points as possible to avoid relegation," stated Bal.
The statistics from this match reinforced Fenerbahçe's dominance at home this season, extending their impressive record of victories, especially against weaker opponents. With 40 goals scored and only 15 conceded, they showcased one of the league's strongest defensive and offensive records.
Fenerbahçe's victory, their 12th of the season, keeps them firmly within the title race as they remain 8 points behind the unbeaten Galatasaray, who beat Göztepe 2-1 earlier. The pressure remains on Fenerbahçe as they look to close the gap heading forward, with fans hopeful for continued success.
With this result, Hatayspor faces an uphill battle, having secured only 9 points from 18 matches, and will need to regroup as they prepare for their next encounters. Their manager's resolve will be tested as they seek to escape the relegation zone.
The match concluded with jubilant celebrations from the Fenerbahçe fans, marking the beginning of the year on a positive note. The club looks to build on this momentum against their next opponents as they fight to reclaim their spot at the top of the league.