Nine wins from nine in the league and a flawless nine wins from nine in Europe.

That is the blistering start made to the season by Turkish club Fenerbahce, who have looked invincible in the opening weeks.

The sensational run continued on Thursday night when they took a firm grip on their Europa Conference League group with a 3-1 victory over Bulgarians Ludogorets Razgrad.

That followed earlier group phase wins over Danes Nordsjaelland and Spartak Trnava of Slovakia but, even more impressively, Fenerbahce had already fought through three qualifying rounds to get that far.

They saw off Zimbru Chisinau of Moldova, Maribor of Slovenia and FC Twente of the Netherlands, winning all six legs along the way.

Fenerbahce celebrate one of their goals in Thursday night's Europa Conference League win over Ludogorets - they have won all 18 of their matches so far this season

Fenerbahce celebrate one of their goals in Thursday night's Europa Conference League win over Ludogorets - they have won all 18 of their matches so far this season

Fenerbahce celebrate one of their goals in Thursday night’s Europa Conference League win over Ludogorets – they have won all 18 of their matches so far this season

Fred was much-maligned at Manchester United but hasn't yet tasted defeat at his new club

Fred was much-maligned at Manchester United but hasn't yet tasted defeat at his new club

Fred was much-maligned at Manchester United but hasn’t yet tasted defeat at his new club

In the Turkish Super Lig, they have a maximum 27 points from 27 played for since the season began in mid-August and unsurprisingly lead the way, albeit just a couple of points ahead of Istanbul rivals Galatasaray.

Coach Ismail Kartal, who returned to the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium for a third spell in the summer, couldn’t have wished for a better start and their squad contains plenty of familiar names to Premier League fans.

The Brazilian midfielder Fred, signed from Manchester United at the start of the season, has featured in 13 of those 18 games and provided four goal assists in a bright start to life in Turkey.

Up front, they have the former Chelsea man Michy Batshuayi, who joined last year and has scored four goals in their European campaign so far.

Batshuayi was on target in the win over Ludogorets before later setting up Miha Zajc for the team’s second.

Another familiar name is the Bosnian, ex-Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko, signed from Inter Milan in the summer.

Dzeko may now be 37 but he’s finding Turkish football very much to his liking with nine goals and seven assists so far since his arrival.

Another of Fenerbahce’s attacking options is Joshua King, the former Man United academy graduate who went on to play for Blackburn, Bournemouth, Everton and Watford. He’s netted four times already this season.

Dusan Tadic, who spent four years at Southampton, plays in their midfield having joined in July following five successful years at Ajax.

Former Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi was on target as Fenerbahce defeated Ludogorets

Former Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi was on target as Fenerbahce defeated Ludogorets

Former Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi was on target as Fenerbahce defeated Ludogorets

37-year-old forward Edin Dzeko, formerly of Manchester City, has been smashing in the goals

37-year-old forward Edin Dzeko, formerly of Manchester City, has been smashing in the goals

37-year-old forward Edin Dzeko, formerly of Manchester City, has been smashing in the goals

Former Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic in action during their latest European outing

Former Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic in action during their latest European outing

Former Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic in action during their latest European outing

Winger Ryan Kent (left) signed for Fenerbahce after leaving Rangers back in the summer

Winger Ryan Kent (left) signed for Fenerbahce after leaving Rangers back in the summer

Winger Ryan Kent (left) signed for Fenerbahce after leaving Rangers back in the summer

Flawless Fenerbahce! 

LEAGUE RESULTS

Gaziantep (H) 2-1

Samsunspor (A) 2-0

Ankaragucu (A) 1-0

Antalyaspor (H) 3-2

Alanyaspor (A) 1-0

Istanbul Basaksehir (H) 4-0

Caykur Rizespor (H) 5-0

Kasimpasa (A) 2-0

Hatayspor (H) 4-2

EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE

Zimbru Chișinău (H) 5-0

Zimbru Chișinău (A) 4-0

Maribor (H) 3-1

Maribor (A) 3-0

FC Twente (H) 5-1

FC Twente (A) 1-0

Nordsjaelland (H) 3-1

Spartak Trnava (A) 2-1

Ludogorets Razgrad (H) 3-1

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On the wing can be found Ryan Kent, the Englishman signed from Rangers in June and who seems to be favoured for the European games.

The successful start comes despite an extensive turnover of personnel during the summer.

Wonderkid Arda Guler, 18, was sold to Real Madrid for £17million plus potential add-ons, while first-choice goalkeeper Altay Bayindir moved to Man United.

That money was quickly reinvested with the likes of Fred, Turkish winger Cengiz Under and Polish midfield Sebastian Szymanski brought in. Kent, Dzeko and Tadic were all free signings.

Speaking about their brilliant run, coach Kartal said on Thursday: ‘We can only think about the next game because the rivals know what form we are in and they go out to beat us.

‘Each duel is more complicated.’

Lowly Pendikspor are their next opponents in the league on Sunday as they looks to make it 19 wins from 19.

Ismail Kartal has enjoyed a dream start after taking over at the Istanbul club in the summer

Ismail Kartal has enjoyed a dream start after taking over at the Istanbul club in the summer

Ismail Kartal has enjoyed a dream start after taking over at the Istanbul club in the summer

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

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