Panathinaikos passed their first major test of the season with a crucial derby win over AEK, coming from behind to earn their fourth straight victory and remain league leaders.
The “Trifylli” defeated Enosi at home in the premier fixture of the Greek Super League’s fourth round on Monday morning (AEST) to win the first Athens derby of the campaign.
AEK opened the scoring after a loose touch from midfielder Ruben Perez allowed captain Sergio Araujo to steal the ball and give a cutback pass to playmaker Orbelin Pineda, who then guided it into the bottom right (35′).
The Greens brought it back on level terms after winger Aitor Cantalapiedra (43′) sent the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot, hitting it into the bottom right.
Panathinaikos were awarded another penalty deep into the first half which striker Andraz Sporar struck high and in the middle (45+7′), with the Slovenian’s strike enough to seal the three points.
Olympiacos rescued a point against Volos in a largely disappointing home outing for the current champions, with the result seeing them fall to four points off of first.
The Magnesia side amazingly took the lead 29 minutes in after a great low pass into the box from winger Paolo Fernandes was guided in by striker Ognjen Ozegovic on his club debut.
The Piraeus outfit found an equaliser through a great strike from goal machine Youssef El Arabi, who capitalised on a failed headed clearance to smash the ball into the back of the net on the volley (76′).
Aris earned a vital result against Asteras Tripolis, beating them 0-2 away to get back to winning ways after three games.
Striker Andre Gray got on the scoresheet first after meeting teammate Manu Garcia’s cutback pass and smacking it goal bound (20′) before right back Salem M’Bakata made it two with a firm strike into the bottom left (60′).
The only sour note for Aris was a VAR-awarded red card to midfielder Mateo Garcia for a late challenge (77′).
A second half demolition saw Atromitos come from behind to smash Ionikos 1-4 away on Sunday morning.
The Nikaia club went into the break ahead after a wonderful free kick from Javier Mendoza (38′) but the Peristeriotes responded in the second half, equalising through an effort from right back Wajdi Kechrida which snuck through the grasp of goalkeeper Lefteris Choutesiotis (53′).
Atromitos took the lead just two minute later via Samuel Karl Fridjonsson’s strike into the bottom left and they doubled their lead through a tap-in from Gaetan Robail (61′), with the winger the first to meet the ball following a parried save from Choutesiotis.
Giorgos Tzavidas finished off an excellent low ball into the box from Viktor Klonaridis to wrap up a fantastic display for the visitors (90+1′).
Giannina earned their first win of the season in a crucial 2-1 triumph over Levadiakos.
The Epirus-based outfit took an early lead, thanks to a glancing header from striker Kevin Rosero who directed the ball into the bottom right from a very awkward angle (2′).
Levadiakos managed to equalise just before half time through an amazing long shot by winger Thierry Rua Moutinho (45+1′) which he kept low and guided into the bottom right, but the hosts regained the advantage via centre half Rodrigo Erramuspe’s tap-in (73′).
Panetolikos fought hard to down OFI 1-2 away, advancing into fourth in the process.
The Agrinio team went ahead in the 14th minute when a strike from Jorge Diaz deflected off of teammate Nikos Karelis and into the goal.
The Cretans managed to bring it level before the break with a stunning half-volley long range effort into the top left from wing back Konstantinos Balogiannis (42′) before midfielder Dimitris Kolovos stepped up with his own long shot which snuck into the bottom right (76′), giving Panetolikos the win.
Greek Super League Ladder (teams with a game in hand)
1. Panathinaikos: 12
2. Olympiacos: 8
3. PAOK: 7 (3)
4. Panetolikos: 7
5. Atromitos: 7
6. Aris: 7
7. AEK: 6
8. Volos: 5
9. Giannina: 4
10. Asteras Tripolis: 3
11. OFI: 3
12. Lamia: 2 (3)
13. Levadiakos: 1
14. Ionikos: 1
