Ates Necati and Hakan Sukur were the right recipe as they decided the game against Genclerbirligi by themselves. El Saka played a full game as his side lost at home to Galatasaray, in a match that ended 1-3.

Genclerbirligi had a tough task against Gala, who have been challenging at the top positions in the table this season. Despite being the away crowd, Galatasaray's fans were many and their noise was distinctive.

It was El Saka's Alkaralar that got off to the brighter start. Striker Youla received a good ball on the left early on, and he cut in and shot but it was saved brilliantly by Mondragon at his near post.

Not long later, Galatasaray's Ayhan ran into the danger area and jumped into El Saka on the penalty area line. The referee gave the Egyptian defender the benefit of the doubt and waved play on.

Gala's first massive chance came as Necati got a through ball on the left. He passed Gencler's goalie but hit the ball across the face of the goal. Nobody met it immediately, but at the other wing, it was collected and crossed dangerously. Sabri headed the cross but the danger was relieved finally in a scramble.

With 28 minutes on the clock, Gala scored via Orhan in a controversial goal. A corner was played short and handballed by the man receiving! Nothing was given and a cross was played in by the corner taker. The ball was headed delicately into the side of the net by Orhan, with El Saka stranded and unsure whether to mark him or another attacker near the ball. Poor defending from Gencler, who put Saka in an awkward situation, and poor refereeing too. 0-1.

Gencler desperately tried to come back, and a combo of shots were aimed at goal in an attack but all were cannoned away. Mehmet also had an effort after the ball came back out to him in an attack which El Saka was involved in, but his long distance crack was unluckily just over.

Before the end of the half, El Saka caused some trouble to his defense. He tried to dribble around Hakan Sukur but the striker managed to tackle him and take a shot, but fortunately it went over the bar!

Half time, and the incorrect goal separates the sides in a game with a wonderful atmosphere.

The second half once again saw El Saka trying his extravagant dribbles in defense, but this time they succeeded in evading the strikers!

Gencler had a quick attack as Youla hit a volley from inside the area with great technique, but it went just wide of the target.

With 8 minutes gone since the interval, Gala's amazing attacking beat Gencler's defenders again. A one-two was played between Necati and Sukur, between El Saka and a team-mate, and Sukur was left with space to hit the net, and he did! 0-2.

Less than 2 minutes later, the visitors took the game beyond Genclerbirligi. Necati got the ball and took a long range shot which went directly into the top corner! 0-3.

In the 63rd minute, Genclerbirligi found a life-line. In a splendid move which El Saka was involved in, Alkaralar took the ball up the field. Youla then ran exceptionally well into the box and was knocked down. The match official pointed at the spot. Filip was the taker. He hit the spot kick but it was saved well by Mondragon. The midfielder latched onto the rebound and hit it past the goalkeeper. 1-3 now.

With not long left, Galatasaray attempted to replace their authority on the game. Hakan Sukur beat Mercimek for pace and power but his shot was met by an eminent save from Omer.

Gala continued attacking and Gencler's defense helped them in that! Saka and his back-line halted completely awaiting an offside flag, but as a result Necati was one on one with the keeper, but he luckily slipped and found himself on the ground!

Gencler had the last chances but none managed to profit goals. Substitute Bolic went on a good run but hit his shot off target. This was followed by a free-kick from Tandogan, which went wide of the wooden frames.

El Saka's club suffered a home defeat against a strong side, and now are back in the mid-table positions despite beating Malatyaspor last weekend.

Gencler's defense was not on good form, and played an awful defensive game. To add to this, Galatasaray's strikers showed great moments and subsequently managed to take the maximum number of precious points home to Istanbul.

EP Ratings:

Gençlerbirligi: Omer 7, Erkan 6 (Min. 60 Boliç 6), El Saka 5, Umit 6, Baki 6, Ali Tandogan 6, Mehmet 5 (Min. 75 Mustafa Yüksel 5), Skoko 7, Filip 7, Mustafa Ozkan 6 (Min. 87 Ali Oztürk ?), Youla 8

Galatarasay: Mondragon 7, Cihan 7 (Min. 64 Bulent 7), Song 7, Tomas 8, Orhan 7, Sabri 8, Conceicao 6 (Min. 74 Petre 5), Volkan 7, Ayhan 8, Necati 9, Hakan Sukur 9 (Min. 70 Hasan Sas þ6)

Match Details:

Stadium: 19 Mayýs

Referees: Cem Deda, Mustafa Emre Eyisoy, Cemal Gemici

Goals: Min. 28 Orhan, Min. 53 Hakan Sükür, Min. 56 Necati, Min. 63 Filip

Bookings: Min. 27 Mehmet, Min. 58 Baki, Min. 90 Ali Tandogan (Gençlerbirligi), Min. 29 Orhan, Min. 45 Ayhan, Min. 87 Bülent (Galatasaray)

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