AEK has finally fought their way to first place with a massive success over Aris, capitalising on another Panathinaikos loss to greatly boost their premiership chances.
Enosi defeated Aris 3-0 at “Agia Sophia” Stadium on Monday morning (AEDT) in the biggest match of the Greek Super League’s 20th round, taking them two points clear in first after being eight points behind the Greens at the halfway mark.
Winger Nordin Amrabat slotted a penalty into the bottom left to give the hosts an early lead (18′), and the Thessaloniki side were dealt a major disadvantage when midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo was sent off for a second booking on the hour mark.
AEK midfielder Mijat Gacinovic doubled his team’s lead with a composed finish (76′) before Orbelin Pineda sealed the win with a tap-in set up by captain Sergio Araujo (89′).
Panathinaikos suffered a 0-1 away loss to Asteras Tripolis, their third in their last four games, to officially concede top spot for the first time since round 2.
The “Trifylli” were given a major setback early as captain Dimitris Kourbelis copped a second yellow 33 minutes into the contest, with the Arcadians eventually breaking them down through a powerfully driven half-volley from midfielder Julian Bartolio (80′).
PAOK overcame Levadiakos in a hard-fought 3-2 success at “Toumba” Stadium to continue their 14-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Midfielder Tiago Dantas put the black and white club ahead (10′) though the visitors managed to equalise quickly via a spot kick from winger Thierry Rua Moutinho (15′).
Dantas struck again to restore PAOK’s advantage with a long shot into the bottom right (45+4′) and teammate Konstantinos Koulierakis doubled their lead with a header from a corner set piece (61′).
Levadiakos halved the deficit when Triantafyllos Tsapras’ strike took a huge deflection into the back of the net (66′) but that was the closest they could get as the hosts hung on to secure all three points.
Ionikos bagged a crucial 0-2 away win over relegation rivals Lamia in what is a massive confidence lift as they strive to get off the bottom of the ladder.
The Nikaia outfit were largely fortunate for their first goal, with Lamia midfielder Danny Berajano heading the ball into his own net in an attempted clearance from a corner (19′).
Left Back Georgios Valerianos then delivered a ball from near the byline following a short corner which sailed over goalkeeper Bojan Saranov (44′).
Olympiacos came from behind to down OFI 2-1 at “Georgios Karaiskakis” ground on Monday morning to remain level on points with PAOK.
The Cretans shocked the Piraeus giants with an early strike from striker Nouha Dicko (19′), though the red-whites managed to equalise through a free kick header from forward Cedric Bakambu (40′).
Olympiacos marksman Youssef El Arabi sealed the winning goal with a finish in the 76th minute, extending his club’s unbeaten streak in all competitions to 14.
Volos fell 2-3 to Panetolikos at home on Sunday morning to continue their poor league form, including four losses from their last six matches.
The Magnesia side started strongly as midifielder Michaell Chirinos smacked the ball into the net following a save from goalkeeper Antonis Stergiakis (18′), but winger Levan Shengalia struck the ball firmly into the bottom left to draw level (39′).
Volos midfielder Jean Barrientos had a chance from the penalty spot saved by Stergiakis (62′) and he was left to lament his miss as Panetolikos striker Joao Pedro converted his own penalty minutes later (68′).
The Agrinio team doubled their lead, thanks to centre half Alexandros Malis finish from a free kick (73′), with Volos managing to get just one goal back through an expert free kick from forward Nicolas Mezquida which went in off the left post (90+6′).
Giannina was left to rue a late missed penalty from Sotiris Ninis as they settled for a 1-1 home draw to Atromitos.
The Epirus club pulled ahead after a scrappy goal which was eventually hit into the goal by striker Claudiu Cristian Balan (32′).
The Peristeriotes drew level when forward Georgios Tzovaras met a cross into the box on the volley, smacking into the net (77′), before Giannina was awarded a penalty on the stroke of full time.
The former prodigy of Greek football stepped up but his effort was parried onto the right post by goalkeeper Andreas Gianniotis (90+2′), ensuring both teams leave with a point.
Greek Super League Ladder
1-AEK: 47
2-Panathinaikos: 45
3-PAOK: 42
4-Olympiacos: 42
5-Aris: 31
6-Volos: 29
7-Atromitos: 25
8-Panetolikos: 23
9-Asteras Tripolis: 21
10-OFI: 19
11-Giannina: 19
12-Levadiakos: 13
13-Lamia: 12
14-Ionikos: 11