Adebayor hat-trick severely dents Galatasaray's Super Lig title hopes

The former Arsenal and Real Madrid striker continued his fine form for Istanbul Basaksehir, taking his tally up to five goals in as many appearances

Emmanuel Adebayor struck a hat-trick as got their Super Lig title challenge back on track and severely damaged that of with a 4-0 win on Monday.

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A draw with Karabukspor and defeat to Akhisar Belediyespor saw Basaksehir slip eight points adrift of leaders , but Adebayor closed the distance to five at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium.

The Togo international got off the mark 11 minutes in with a simple finish into a gaping net from Marcio Mossoro's square pass after Gala failed to clear, and he added a second on the stroke of half-time.

Former Arsenal, and striker Adebayor rose to meet Junior Caicara's wicked right-wing delivery, guiding his header in off the underside of the crossbar.

The 33-year-old completed his hat-trick with an opportunistic 57th-minute header as Gala's defence stood idle after Edin Visca's shot looped up off goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

Adebayor, whose Super Lig tally now stands at five goals in as many appearances, made way for Mustafa Pektemek and the substitute rounded off the scoring four minutes from time.

Pektemek raced onto Mahmut Tekdemir's pass in behind the defence, beating Muslera to it as he rushed out of his box to intervene before showing composure to dribble into the area, commit Aurelien Chedjou and fire home.

Gala now sit fourth, 12 points adrift of Besiktas with seven games remaining, making a 21st domestic title extremely unlikely.