Fenerbahçe continues its impressive run in the Süper Lig, defeating Atakaş Hatayspor 2-1 at Ülker Stadium. The standout performer of the night was forward Youssef En-Nesyri, who scored both goals for Fenerbahçe, helping the team secure three important points.
The match started with Fenerbahçe applying early pressure. Just 17 minutes in, En-Nesyri opened the scoring. After receiving the ball from Dusan Tadic with minimal delay, he launched a precise shot from the right side of the box, sending it past Hatayspor's goalkeeper, Erce Kardeşler. It was the first of the two goals he would score on the night.
Despite falling behind, Hatayspor responded well and managed to equalize at the 33rd minute. Bilal Boutobba capitalized on some defensive confusion, receiving a pass from Lamine Diack. Boutobba's strike from the right side went through the legs of Fenerbahçe's defender and beat goalkeeper İrfan Can Eğribayat, leveling the score at 1-1.
Just before halftime, En-Nesyri netted his second goal, putting the home side back on top. A corner from Filip Kostić created chaos as the ball ricocheted off Yiğit Ali Buz and fell right at En-Nesyri's feet, who calmly headed it home to give Fenerbahçe a 2-1 lead heading to the break.
After the interval, Fenerbahçe continued to maintain their advantage, showing resilience against Hatayspor's attempts to equalize. Edin Dzeko had the chance to extend the lead when Fenerbahçe was awarded a penalty late in the game. Unfortunately for the hosts, he sent the ball over the bar, missing the opportunity to secure the win by more than one goal.
This victory elevated Fenerbahçe's points tally to 39, keeping them eight points behind league leaders Galatasaray. Meanwhile, Hatayspor remains at the bottom of the table with just nine points from their 18 matches.
Fenerbahçe's coach, José Mourinho, expressed satisfaction following the match, praising En-Nesyri's performance and the team's collective effort. "We are on the right track, and tonight was another step forward," he stated post-match.
En-Nesyri's remarkable display continues, with five goals over his last three league appearances. This marked his first time scoring in three consecutive league matches since 2019, demonstrating his potential impact as the season progresses.
Despite the defeat, Hatayspor's manager Yılmaz Bal seemed optimistic about future matches, stating, "We are determined to fight back and improve our standings. We faced tough challenges tonight, but we will learn from them."
The match was officiated by referee Oğuzhan Çakır, who faced several contentious moments during the tightly contested game. Both sides had players cautioned, highlighting the intensity and high stakes involved. The atmosphere at the stadium was electric, with passionate fans supporting their teams throughout.
Fenerbahçe will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next fixture against Konyaspor on the road. Meanwhile, Hatayspor aims to regroup and focus on their upcoming home match against Çaykur Rizespor, hoping to claw their way out of the relegation zone.