PAOK was the big winner in the Thessaloniki derby against Aris at the Kleanthis Vikelidis on Sunday, breaking away with a 1-2 victory. Aleksandar Prijovic was once again the hero for PAOK, scoring both goals for his team and helping them secure the three points in a decisive win in their quest for the title.

PAOK manager Razvan Lucescu chose to give Diego Biseswar and Leo Jaba a chance in the starting line up, however it was Aris with the support of their fans and their home ground who scored first just after two minutes of play, after Bruno Gama fed the ball to Mateo Garcia who lifted the ball, and passed Paschalakis, making this the fastest goal in an Aris-PAOK derby.

But the ‘black-and-whites’ started to gain more possession of the ball and after a huge opportunity on the 27th by Pelkas and Prijovic, the Serbian striker found the way to the net nine minutes later through a penalty that was conceded by Tzanakakis. Aris had the chance to reclaim the lead but a penatly kick of their own was saved by PAOK keeper Paschalakis who is on great form recently.

The second half was a tough physical contest between the two teams, but Prijovic managed to score a second for the visitors after a great combination between substitutes El Kaddouri and Warda left the PAOK top-scorer alone in the box.
This important win sees PAOK’s difference between his main rivals rise to six points, as Olympiacos suffered a surprise 1-0 loss at the hands of OFI in Crete. The home team put the pressure on the ‘red-and-whites’ for the whole first half, finding a goal through Vouho’s effort.

In the second half, the scenery changed but Olympiacos was never able to break through the Cretan defence despite having many opportunities. In the meantime, Atromitos also remains at the top after a dramatic 3-2 win at home against Asteras, with all goals being scored in the second half.

Efthimis Koulouris gave the home team the lead with a successful penalty kick just three minutes before the end of the first half. However, the visitors equalised on the 57th through Valiente. Munafo scored an own goal against his team to give Atromitos the advantage once again just a few minutes later (61′), yet Manias brought the two teams level once again on the 64th. And just when it appeared that Atromitos was ready to drop its first points of the season, Koulouris came in injury time to score his second in the game and a most important goal for his team, maintaining Atromitos at the top of the league and keeping the dream alive.

Panathinaikos and AEK also continued their season victoriously, as they beat Panionios and Apollon respectively.
PAOK and Atromitos remain at the top of the Super League table with 19 points, followed by AEK, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos who each have 13, while Aris and Xanthi have 12. Next week PAOK will welcome Panathinaikos while AEK face Aris at the Olympic Stadium.

GREEK SUPER LEAGUE DAY 7 RESULTS

SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER

  • Panathinaikos – Panionios 1-0 (72′ Chatzitheodoridis)
  • PAS Giannena – Panetolikos 0-2 (44′, 90’+6′ Mazurek)
  • Apollon Smyrnis – AEK 0-2 (37′ Mantalos, 85′ Livaja)
  • AEL – Lamia 1-2 (30′ Deletic / 48′ Barrales, 65′ Epstein, 75′ sent off Scardovelli)

SUNDAY 21 OCTOBER

  • Levadiakos – Xanthi 1-2 (90’+1′ Chumbinho / 45′ Baxevanidis, 70′ pen. Jendrisek)
  • Aris – PAOK 1-2 (2′ Mateo Garcia / 36′ pen. 84′ Prijovic)
  • OFI – Olympiacos 1-0 (36′ Vouho)

MONDAY 22 OCTOBER

  • Atromitos – Asteras Tripolis 3-2 (42′ pen., 88′ Koulouris, 61′ OG Munafo, 90’+2′ sent off Nascimento / 57′ Valiente, 64′ Manias)

GREEK SUPER LEAGUE DAY 8 FIXTURES

  • AEL – OFI
  • Lamia – Levadiakos
  • Panionios – Atromitos
  • Panetolikos – Asteras Tripolis
  • PAOK – Panathinaikos
  • AEK – Aris
  • Xanthi – PAS Giannena
  • Olympiacos – Apollon Smyrnis