Istanbul’s Beşiktaş defeats Trabzonspor, defends top spot

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Beşiktaş cruised past Trabzonspor 3-0 on Dec. 7 at Konya Metropolitan Torku Arena, defending its top spot on the Spor Toto Süper League standings.

The black and whites made a rocket start into their match at the Konya Torku Arena and went ahead after 5 minutes when defensive midfielder Veli Kavlak intercepted a poor clearance from Trabzonspor goalkeeper Fatih Öztürk, firing it home before entering the box.

Only 16 minutes later, Beşiktaş achieved a two-goal cushion as Senegalese Demba Ba back-healed Olcay Şahan’s neat pass in from near the 6-yard line for his 8th league goal of the season.  
Trabzonspor tried hard to find their way back into the game in the second half, but failed to break down Beşiktaş’s well-concentrated defense block.

With six minutes to go, striker Cenk Tosun, who replaced Mustafa Pekdemek after a dramatic injury, made it 3-0. The Argentine attacking midfielder José Sosa provided the assist.

 â€œDue to our stadium’s construction, we are playing our home games in different cities. Beşiktaş fans from Konya created a great atmosphere here tonight that enabled us to stage one of our best games of the season,” said a content Slaven Bilic, the Beşiktaş coach, in a post-game interview.

“Our lads executed well and did not give away any serious changes. After each game, we are growing into a better team but still have a long way to go.”  

Beşiktaş squad later visited Pekdemek, the glass-man on the team who had broken bones in his face after an air-ball struggle in Konya.

Beşiktaş will host Tottenham on Dec. 11 in a UEFA Europa League game as Trabzonspor will face an unbeaten Legia Warszawa in Poland, with both Turkish teams already qualified for the...

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