A mass fight at the final whistle, which saw three players sent off, marred a thrilling game of football as Fenerbahce came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Galatasaray in the Istanbul derby.
Galatasaray's Badou Ndiaye, on loan from Stoke, Fenerbahce striker Roberto Saldado and Jailson, who scored a fine equaliser, were red carded following a brawl involving players and staff.
Ryan Donk had given the hosts a first-half lead with a hooked effort from close range, after Fenerbahce failed to deal with a routine corner-delivery, while Sinan Gumus struck the post only moments later.
Galatasaray finally doubled their advantage after the restart, courtesy of a stunning curled strike from full-back Martin Linnes, but then the Fenerbahce comeback commenced.
Fenerbahce's french midfielder Mathieu Valbuena (R) vies for the ball
Image credit: Getty Images
The referee needed the assistance of VAR to award the visitors a penalty and Mathieu Valbuena converted to give Fenerbahce hope in the week they sacked former Dutch international Phillip Cocu.
And their equaliser came when Valbuena set up Jailson on the edge of the area - the Brazilian took a touch before firing the ball into the top corner to set up an enthralling finale.
Late chances were spurned at opposite ends of the pitch as both clubs had to settle for a share of the spoils in a spectacular contest blighted by the post-match melee.
Fenerbahce and Galatasaray players fight at the end of the Turkish Spor Toto Super league fotball match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce on November 2, 2018 at TT Ali Samiyen sport complex in Istanbul.
Image credit: Getty Images
The result sees Galatasaray blow the chance to go back to the top of the table whilst Fenerbahce remain in the bottom half.
TALKING POINT
Could inspired second-half display land Erwin Koeman the Fenerbahce job? The first-half was utterly miserable from a Fenerbahce point-of-view, but the board will be most impressed by the character the players showed after the restart to salvage a much-needed point - and the visitors may have even gone on to snatch the victory. Assistant Erwin Koeman, brother of Netherlands manager Ronald, has been handed the job on an interim basis, but will this impressive display - against the club's fiercest rivals - prove enough to land him a long-term contract?
Fenerbahce's asistant coach Erwin Koeman gestures during the Turkish Spor Toto Super league fotball match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce on November 2, 2018 at TT Ali Samiyen sport complex in Istanbul
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Jailson (Fenerbahce) The energetic Brazilian pulled the strings for his team in midfield and his top-class performance was capped with his stunning equaliser.
Fenerbahce's Jailson (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Turkish Spor Toto Super league fotball match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce on November 2, 2018 at TT Ali Samiyen sport complex in Istanbul.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Galatasaray: Muslera 6, Linnes 8, Kabak 6, Aziz 7, Bayram 6, Donk 7, Ndiaye 6, Belhanda 6, Onyekuru 7, Rodrigues 6, Gumus 6. Subs: Inan 5, Maicon N/A, Feghouli N/A.
Fenerbahce: Tekin 7, Kaldirim 8, Neustadter 6, Skrtel 6, Isla 8, Elmas 7, Benzia 6, Jailson 9, Valbuena 8, Ayew 7, Frey 7. Subs: Reyes N/A, Soldado 5, Potuk 5.
KEY MOMENTS
31' - GOAL! Galatasaray 1-0 Fenerbahce: The unmarked Donk scores with a simple finish! A corner delivery is flicked on for the Galatasaray midfielder who hooks it past the goalkeeper from close range. The marking is so poor from the visitors.
34' - OFF THE POST! Fenerbahce's defence is all over the place! They concede a free-kick on the flank, Belhanda floats a delicious cross to find Gumus whose downward header cannons off the post and bounces to safety.
49' - GOAL! Galatasaray 2-0 Fenerbahce: WHAT A GREAT STRIKE! Fenerbahce fail to clear the resulting corner delivery convincingly. Linnes receives the ball on the edge of the box, he opens his body up and curls a wicked shot into the bottom corner. Simply stunning.
64' - PENALTY TO FENERBAHCE! Isla races through on the overlap to receive a pass inside the penalty area. He beats Galatasaray's goalkeeper Muslera for pace, and with the goal gaping he squares the ball into centre, but Galatasaray scramble it clear. Hold on, the referee is having a look at VAR. Did Muslera catch Isla after the ball had gone? Yes, the PENALTY IS GIVEN!
Fenerbahce's Andre Ayew (R) heads the ball next to Galatasaray's Badou Ndiaye (L) during Turkish Spor Toto Super league fotball match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce on November 2, 2018 at TT Ali Samiyen sport complex in Istanbul.
Image credit: Getty Images
66' - GOAL! Galatasaray 2-1 Fenerbahce: Muslera dives the right way but there's too much pace on Valbuena's spot-kick and he can't keep it out. And now we have a match on our hands - game on!
72' - GOAL! Galatasaray 2-2 Fenerbahce: What. A. Goal. Fenerbahce are level. Valbuena wriggles his way past a couple of challenges before teeing up Jailson on the edge of the D and curls a sumptuous shot beyond Mulsera and into the top corner!
KEY STATS
Galatasaray are unbeaten in the last 25 home league games
Galatasaray's defence has scored six goals this season, more than any other defence in Turkey.
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