There were two hat-tricks, 20 goals but there was also quite a bit of impressive defensive work on display as well this week.
Fernando Muslera – Galatasaray: The Uruguayan international has not been at his best lately but as the saying goes form is temporary class is permanent. The Galatasaray goalkeeper dealt confidently with aerial balls, made a number of important saves and his distribution was pinpoint.
Eren Albayrak – Rizespor: The 24-year-old full-back was the architect of the Black Sea based sides 5-1 demolition job against Antalyaspor. Albayrak set-up three goals and also had time to put on a stellar defensive performance making more tackles (4) than any other player as well as four interceptions and three clearances.
Kenneth Omeruo – Kasımpaşa: The 21-year-old defender made several key tackles and dealt well with aerial balls making the highest number of clearances for his team (4). The on-loan Chelsea defender has started every game for the Istanbul minnows who kept their third clean sheet following the 3-0 win against Eskişehirspor.
Titi – Kasımpaşa: Omeruo’s partner in crime defended well and also scored the opening goal in what was a fine performance from the Brazilian. Kasımpaşa have the best defensive record in the league having conceded just two goals this season.
Denayer – Galatasaray: The on-loan Manchester City defender started his second consecutive game in arguably the Lions toughest match of the current league campaign and put on another impressive performance in the unfamiliar position of right-back.
VIDEO | Some great play from Jason Denayer. pic.twitter.com/v5U6wremVx
— Cimbom Daily (@CimbomDaily) September 20, 2015
Jose Rodriguez – Galatasaray: Hamza Hamzaoğlu has had a tough time finding his strongest central midfield pairing following the sale of Felipe Melo on transfer deadline day but Rodriguez made a great case as to why he should be considered. The Lions beat Trabzonspor 1-0 on the road and Rodriguez was one of the Istanbul giants best performers on the night. The former Real Madrid youth is a confident passer of the ball and allowed Galatasaray to hold onto possession well.
Deniz Kadah – Rizespor: Albayrak was the architect with three assists against Antalyaspor and Kadah was the destroyer getting a hat-trick in the 5-1 win.
Luis Nani – Fenerbahçe: The former Manchester United winger has been in sensational form playing a direct role – goal or assist – in Fenerbahçe’s last six goals in all competitions. Nani gave the Yellow Canaries the lead with a well placed shot into the far corner of the goal leaving Bursaspor keeper Mert Günok no chance.
N’Diaye – Osmanlıspor: N’Diaye is turning out to be an early contestant for transfer of the season. The 24-year-old is a defensive midfielder but also showed that he is not bad in the final third as he scored a hat-trick and took his overall tally to five – matched only by Samuel Eto’o. The hard working midfielder is currently rated as the best performing player in the Turkish Super League according to Whoscored.
Gökhan Töre – Beşiktaş: Cenk Tosun setup Töre with the Black Eagles 3000th goal but it did not end up counting for much as Beşiktaş could only pick up a point against Gençlerbirliği.
Robin van Persie – Fenerbaçe: Van Persie was furious with being left on the bench until the 77th minute. The game was tied at 1-1 but the flying Dutchman soon made his presence felt scoring with his first shot of the game to give the Yellow Canaries an important win taking them three points clear at the top of the table ahead of the Istanbul derby against Beşiktaş.
