Fenerbahçe take title honours in Turkey

Fenerbahçe SK are celebrating their 19th Turkish league title after a goalless draw with Çaykur Rizespor proved sufficient to establish an unassailable 12-point lead at the summit with three games to go.

The Istanbul club required just a point to complete the job and achieved just that in front of a crowd of 50,537. "It has been a very difficult three years. In that time we have won the Turkish Cup twice and finally we have won the league," said full-back Gökhan Gönül, whose side will finish the season unbeaten at home should they avoid defeat against Kardemir Karabükspor next month.

For coach Ersun Yanal, meanwhile, it was Fenerbahçe's eye-catching brand of football that made them worthy champions. "We deserved to win the title because of the football we have played. We have given everything and I'd like to thank my players for their efforts," he said. "We are so proud to serve this club and this title was very important for us. We were determined to win the league from the off."