NEWS

14.12.2011

FOOTBALL

Beşiktaş 3 – 1 Stoke City

Black Eagles secure top spot in Europa League Group E with a well-deserved home win

Determined to win their final group match at all costs, Besiktaş started brightly and pepperedStokeCitykeeper Begovic with long-range efforts early on but failed to find net. Ironically, it was the visitors who would get on the scoresheet first. Fuller’s deflected shot caught keeper Rüştü flat footed on 30 minutes and put Stoke a goal up. The Jamaican almost scored his second two minutes later, but defender Egemen cleared his ball just off the goal line. The English team seemed more than happy to take a one-goal lead into the intermission.    
 
Desperately needing an equaliser, the Eagles came out the more aggressive side in the second half while Stoke looked contend to sit back. Home side’s pressure paid off handsomely in the 57th-minute when referee showed the penalty spot after their striker Almedia was brought down inside the box by Upson. WhileStokeCitydefender was heading to early showers with a red card, Fernandes levelled the scores. The goal and a man advantage appeared to turn the game completely in favour of Beşiktaş as they went 2-1 head after 75 minutes through sub Mustafa Pektemek, who beat Begovic with a diving header. But Beşiktaş were not done yet until another sub Edu smashed home a left-footed effort from inside the box with 8 minutes remaining to secure his team’s victory. With the win, Black Eagles progressed to the next round as group leaders.