Determined Galatasaray hold off Deportivo

Deportivo's Djalmina slides in to challenge Gheorge Hagi

Galatasaray 1-0 Deportivo Coruna

Suat Kaya's early strike was enough to keep Galatasaray top of Group B, despite a strong response by their Spanish rivals.

The Uefa Cup and European Super Cup holders stepped up their bid to reach the last eight of Europe's premier competition, with Suat's 10th-minute strike enhancing their growing reputation.

Midfielder Suat blasted home from a Hasan Sas pass to extend the Turks' unbeaten home record in Europe to 11 matches.

Galatasaray coach Mircea Lucescu of Romania had a scare when influential defender Hakan Unsal went off with a leg injury, and was replaced by Ergun Penbe inside 30 minutes.

But Galatasaray still managed to hold firm, to the delight of the 15,000 fans in the Ali Sami Yen stadium.

Deportivo preferred striker Diego Tristan, who scored a hat-trick in their 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday, to fit again Dutchman Roy Makaay in their line-up.

But Tristan wasted a glorious chance to force a draw for the Spaniards when he dragged a shot wide with just goalkeeper Taffarel to beat.

Deportivo coach Javier Irureta responded by bringing Makaay on for Tristan in the second half but he too drew a blank as the Turks held firm.

---

Galatasaray: Taffarel, Korkmaz, Popescu, Belozoglu, Suat, Jardel, Sas, Akyel, Davala, Unsal, Inan. Subs: Buruk, Aykut, Arif, Capone, Penbe.

D Coruna: Molina, Manuel Pablo, Romero, Naybet, Mauro Silva, Djalminha, Diego, Fran, Scaloni, Donato, Valeron. Subs: Songo'o, Makaay, Martin Villar Cesar, Capdevilla, Pandiani, Victor, Helder.

Referee: Kim Nielsen (Denmark)