Galatasaray have pulled nine points clear at the top of the Turkish Super Lig by defeating Mersin Idmanyurdu 3-1.

Necati Ates scored two goals for his team.

He headed the leaders ahead after 28 minutes but it would not prove to be a routine win.

Home side Mersin had Baris Atas sent off after 57 minutes but with 10 men they found an equaliser in the 76th minute, when Erhan Guven netted.

A penalty from Selcuk Inan six minutes later restored Galatasaray’s lead, and with mid-table Mersin pushing for an equaliser in the last minute they were caught on the counterattack when a corner was cleared.

Galatasaray surged forward and Ates tucked the ball in from close range after his initial shot was superbly saved by Hakan Arikan.

Fenerbahce are Galatasaray’s nearest rivals and play Sivasspor on Saturday.