Persepolis football team thrashed Esteghlal 4-2 in a fantastic Tehran derby in front of more than 95,000 fans at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

Persepolis had a stormy start to the game as Mehdi Taremi opened the scoring for the Reds just five minutes into the game. Taremi put the ball into the back of the net after Esteghlal goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati blocked Ahmad Nourollahi long-range shot outside the box.

Taremi extended the lead thirty minutes later with a wonderful header on a brilliant cross from Farshad Ahmadzadeh.

Persepolis should have made it 3-0 when the referee awarded the team a penalty but Mehdi Taremi, who was seeking a hat trick, could not convert the penalty.

Branko Ivankovic’s men got what they deserved in the early minutes of second half. Ramin Rezaeian made it 3-0 for Persepolis in the 54th minute with a header after Rahmati blocked Ahmadzadeh cross.

Esteghlal reduced the deficit in the 55th minute when Jaber Ansari took advantage of Persepolis keeper Sosha Makani’s mistake into the six yard.

The Reds were dangerous on counter attack and they managed to score the fourth in the 85th minute. Taremi took the ball in a one on one situation with Rahmati but he passed the ball to Mohsen Mosalman as he put the ball into the back of the net.

Omid Ebrahimi scored from the penalty spot to make it 4-2 but it was too late for the Blues as they suffered a derby defeat which may cost them the league title.

Persepolis moved to top for the first time in this season while Esteghlal fell to third behind Esteghlal Khouzestan.

SG/MH