Tehran popular soccer teams Esteqlal and Persepolis are defeated by their rivals in the 17th week of the Iranian Premier League (IPL).

Esteqlal was overpowered 3-2 by Peykan at Tehran's Azadi Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues took the lead when Amir-Hossein Sadeqi scored the opener after 16 minutes, but Peykan made it 2-1 before the break through Saeed Daqiqi (38') and Majid Khodabandelou (44').

Hossein Kazemi netted the equalizer in the 66th minute, but Hamid Hedayati scored the winner in the 68th minute of the game to send Peykan to the third place with 28 points and drop Esteqlal to the fourth on 27.

In another Saturday match, Sepahan beat Persepolis 2-1 in Fouladshahr Stadium in Isfahan to arrive at the top the IPL table with 34 points.

Sepahan's Senegalese striker Ibrahima Toure opened the scoring after the 27th minute, but Sepehr Heidari netted the equalizer in the 65th minute.

Sepahan defender Hadi Aqily made it 2-1 in the 89th minute of the game to help his team top the standings, closely followed by Zob Ahan with 33 points.

HRF/JG/