AEK takes the Athenian derby to keep its Super League title hopes alive

AEK has maintained a relative interest in the title race in the Super League this season, as they were victorious against Panathinaikos on Monday morning (AEDT), keeping their six-point difference with leaders, Olympiacos.

AEK defeated their local rivals 1-0 with their resolute defence giving away few opportunities for the Greens to score.

The Yellow and Blacks took just two minutes to hit the back of the net through a headed goal by midfielder Damian Szymanski. Panathinaikos came close in the 47th minute when winger Aitor Cantalapiedra missed an open goal after a scramble in the box. The home side’s forward Steven Zuber had terrible luck, with two of his goals ruled offside by VAR, but their solitary goal proved enough to secure the outcome.

On Tuesday morning, PAS Giannina leaped into third place after a 1-0 away win over Lamia. Right back Emmanouil Saliakas scored the match’s only goal (54’), as Giannina’s defence proceeded to keep their seventh clean sheet this campaign.

READ MORE: Last-minute goals deliver victories for Olympiacos and AEK

Aris secured a comfortable 1-0 victory at home over Asteras Tripolis on Monday morning, jumping into the top six for the first time this term. Aris got their goal in the 41st minute with an own goal from defender Federico Alvarez, which was all they required to get the three points.

Ionikos pulled off an incredible 3-2 victory to upset the giants, PAOK. The Thessaloniki side scored first through striker Karol Swiderski (18’) but this was cancelled out only two minutes later by former PAOK midfielder Jose Alberto Canas. Ionikos scored twice more through forwards Aias Aosman (34’ pen.) and Reinaldo Lenis (49’), with the Black and Whites managing to get one goal back through midfielder Thomas Murg in the 60th minute.

Olympiacos navigated a tricky away trip to Crete, coming from behind to earn a 3-1 result on Sunday morning. OFI defender Apostolos Diamantis hit a wonderful half-volley shot past keeper Tomas Vaclik to give his side the lead in the 16th minute. Olympiacos defender Pape Abou Cisse scored a double (24’, 49’) before winger Rony Lopes guaranteed the three points on the hour.

Atromitos responded tremendously to last week’s 6-2 defeat at Tripoli, securing an emphatic 4-1 victory over relegation rivals Apollon Smyrnis. All three of Atromitos’ forwards got on the scoreboard, Srdjan Spiridonovic in the 9th, Juan Muniz in the 40th and Efthymios Koulouris in the 68th(pen.) and 75th, to give their side only their second win this term. Apollon managed a consolation penalty through midfielder Fatjon Antoni (18’) but their bigger concern is the red card that defender and captain, Christos Lisgaras, suffered in giving away the penalty in the 68th.

Panetolikos achieved a much needed 2-1 away win over Volos, taking them away from the bottom two. All the goals came in the first half with Panetolikos’ Jonathan Morsay striking in the 3rd minute, Volos equalising through Adrien Regattin (7’), before Nikos Karelis scored the match-winning goal in the 33rd.