Fenerbahce have had a dominant record against Trabzonspor in recent times, but it remains one of the fiercest games in Turkey due to the controversial events between the pair over the last few years.
The away side went into this match on Saturday knowing the significance of it, with a potential win narrowing the gap to Galatasaray to three points, while well and truly knocking Trabzonspor out of the title race.
However, the home side took the lead after six minutes, with the in-form Ernest Muci continuing his rich vein of form, lobbing the keeper for his 10th goal of the Super Lig season. In truth, the strike came against the run of play after a bright Fenerbahce start, and they responded quickly.
Anderson Talisca, who has been given the responsibility of leading the line after Youssef En-Nesyri and Jhon Duran left the club, thumped home to bring the scores level.
Just after half an hour, Fener took the lead, as Kerem Akturkoglu made it three goals in his last two games after slotting past the weak hands of Andre Onana in goal, courtesy of another Marco Asensio assist.
Trabzon weren't done though, as the league's top scorer, Paul Onuachu, scored an emphatic header to make it 2-2 just before the interval.
But in truth, Fenerbahce always felt like the team in the ascendancy, and their Spanish talisman Asensio got on the scoresheet after some nice build-up play early on in the second half.
Trabzon never really looked like getting an equaliser from that moment on, as Fenerbahce controlled the rest of the game, and the score ended 3-2.
It was a really good display from Fenerbahce, especially in the second half. They made a real statement, showcasing what a solid side they have become under Domenico Tedesco.
There is very little doubt that their play revolves around the exceptional Asensio. Arguably the leading contender for Player of the Season in the Super Lig, he is consistently a class above everyone else on the pitch, and you can see why he played for Real Madrid and PSG.
His vision and weight of pass is wonderful, and he has an eye for the goal too. 10 goals and eight assists in the league make for superb reading. He will be the difference maker if Fenerbahce are to get over the line and win their first title in 12 years.
But, of course, they have Galatasaray to reel in, who are beginning to really build up a head of steam after their additions in the January transfer window.
In action on Friday evening, the three-time defending champions sealed a crushing 5-1 win over Eyupspor, with captain Mauro Icardi netting a hat-trick.
Playing in a slightly withdrawn role behind Victor Osimhen, the duo were exceptional together, with the Nigerian providing two assists and being very unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet himself.
Icardi remains a goalscoring marvel. Despite coming off a serious injury, being 32 years old, and no longer the force he once was, his prowess in the penalty box just hasn't left him.
He has barely started this season, being used as a substitute and getting limited minutes. However, he is the joint-third top scorer in the Super Lig with 13 goals, which is sensational.
His instinct will never leave him, no matter how old he is, and he remains a tremendous force in these types of games and an absolute club icon.
Yunus Akgun got on the scoresheet too, heading home from a stunning Osimhen cross, while Eyup defender Jerome Onguene scored an own goal.
Galatasaray have looked in really good form over the last few weeks. Their new acquisitions have offered plenty, too.
Noa Lang has cemented a spot in the starting XI with some mighty impressive performances, while Yaser Asprilla and 18-year-old Renato Nhaga have produced some strong cameos from the bench.
Nhaga received a warm reception on his debut against Eyup and was remarkably composed and controlled in the middle of the park.
Sascha Boey made his first start since returning to the club and looked a bit rusty. However, that is no surprise given the limited minutes he got at Bayern Munich.
Wilfried Singo, who signed from Monaco for €30 million in the summer, finally returned from a lengthy injury and instantly looks like the team's best defender.
Things seem to be peaking at the right time for the side, and with huge matches coming up in Europe and domestically over the next few months, they will be delighted with the momentum they are gathering.
Samsunspor sack Thomas Reis
On the weekend, Samsunspor made the utterly ludicrous decision to sack their supremely successful coach, Thomas Reis, after a 3-1 loss to Antalyaspor, replacing him with fellow German, Thorsten Fink.
Reis, who helped Samsun to a third-place finish last season - which qualified them for the UEFA Conference League - has them in the play-offs of the competition this campaign, while sitting eighth in the Super Lig. Yet this has been deemed not good enough by the hierarchy.
All this with a team that returned to the Super Lig in 2023 for the first time in 11 years, who were under a transfer ban in 2024, and lost one of their best players, Anthony Musaba, to Fenerbahce, in January.
Granted, the recent form hasn't been great in the league. They have one win in their last 10, but bear in mind, they are juggling European football alongside their domestic campaign, with a squad that isn't prepared for it. Yet they remain in a very strong position in the Super Lig.
The entitlement of some teams in Turkey is mindboggling, and Samsun fans are furious, too. As a result, Reis was given an extremely heartfelt goodbye from the fans, showing the impact he had on them.
Utterly bizarre.
Team of the Week
Icardi is the Flashscore Player of the Week with an incredible 9.8 rating after his fantastic showing against Eyupspor, and he is joined by teammate Osimhen up front.
