Esteghlal Tehran looked the like certain winners of the
74th Tehran derby, leading 2-0 while rivals Persepolis had been reduced to ten men, but a late hattrick by winter-signing Eamon Zayed secured victory for the reds in an unforgettable clash of the Iranian capitals' giants.
While Persial Gulf Cup leaders Esteghlal had to do without star midfielders Mojtaba Jabbari and Andranik Teymourian, Persepolis had all key players available.
However, veteran playmaker Ferydoon Zandi filled the gap in the blues' midfield very well, setting up Milad Meydavoudi's 33rd minute leader with a great pass, which was chipped over young Persepolis goalkeeper Hossein Houshyar.
Zandi doubled the lead just five minutes into second half, when he curled the rebound of a Meydavoudi shot past the bad positioned Houshyar from the edge of the area.
Things turned from bad to worse for Mustafa Denizli's men when striker Mehrdad Oladi received his marching orders for a kick against Esmail Sharifat, eight minutes after the hourmark.
However, Persepolis never gave up and Denizli's substitutions should make the difference.
Libyan international Eamon Zayed, last year's topscorer of the Irish league, might had an unimpressive debut last week, but showed pure class when he got to the end of a excellent throughball from Mohammad Nouri and kept his cool in front of Mehdi Rahmati to pull a goal back, seven minutes from time and 18 minutes after coming on.
Substitute winger Mehdi Mahdavikia's pinpoint cross from the right flank then assisted Zayed's second goal, who this time headed the ball into the net, barely a minute afterwards.
Just when Parviz Mazloumi's team seemed to have recovered from the shock, Zayed knocked the opposition out after receiving a pass from substitute midfielder Hossein Badamaki from the left wing, turning around Hanif Omranzadeh inside the box and laying the ball into the far corner in the second minute of injury time.
In the other matches of round 24, Mes Kerman defeated Saipa Karaj 1-0, Saba Ghom downed eight-men Mes Sarcheshmeh 3-1 and a 95th minute goal courtesy of defender Farshid Talebi secured a 1-0 win for Zob Ahan over Shahin Bushehr.
On Friday, Sanat Naft will host Malavan Anzali, Sepahan Esfahan will travel to Rasht to take on Damash Gilan, whereas Naft Tehran will welcome Tractor Sazi Tabriz and Fajr Sepasi Shiraz will host Rah Ahan Ray.
