PAOK stood tall in the derby of the double-headed eagles in a massive result that keeps them in contention for the premiership.

The Thessaloniki club downed AEK 2-0 at “Toumba” Stadium on Monday morning (AEDT) in the blockbuster fixture of the Greek Super League’s 23rd round, with the victory an excellent confidence boost as they slowly approach the business end of the campaign.

Winger Khaled Narey put the hosts ahead 14 minutes in after meeting the ball on the half-volley from the edge of the box, with the strike taking a deflection off a defender and into the bottom left corner.

PAOK later doubled their advantage in the second period as centre half Konstantinos Koulierakis scored a corner header in the 62nd minute to put the game to bed.

The result was a crucial one for the Double-headed eagle of the North as they would have fallen ten points behind first if they lost, a deficit which would have been incredibly difficult to overturn.

Olympiacos soundly defeated Lamia 0-3 at “Athanasios Diakos” ground to protect their place in third as well as build up momentum ahead of next week’s huge derby with Panathinaikos.

The Piraeus giants took the lead just before half time as midfielder Diadie Samassekou released a brilliant long-range shot that curled with power into the right side of the goal (45’).

Striker Cedric Bakambu made it two on the hour mark with a fantastic first-time finish into the bottom right following a rapid counter-attack before winger Pep Biel sealed the points with a composed effort into the same corner (86’).

Panetolikos earned a tight 1-0 home success over Ionikos, thanks in large to Dimitris Kolovos’ winner following a terrible error at the back (74’).

Panathinaikos secured a comfortable 2-0 triumph against Volos at “Leoforos” Stadium on Sunday morning as they moved once more into outright first (accounting for games in hand) following AEK’s slip-up.

The Magnesia side hung on desperately for the first 50 minutes to protect their goal when a second yellow send-off to left back Harouna Sy made their night an even greater challenge.

They eventually buckled under the pressure applied by the Greens as captain Dimitris Kourbelis stepped up with an awkward-looking tap-in on his weaker left foot to put his team ahead (59’).

The “Trifylli” buried the result ten minutes later when striker Andraz Sporar guided his penalty low and just wide enough of the goalkeeper to steer the league leaders four points clear of AEK, who still have a game in hand.

Asteras Tripolis played out a hard-fought 1-1 home draw with Giannina in yet another stalemate for both outfits this season.

The Arcadians stunned the travellers with a magnificent 2nd minute free kick goal from Adrien Riera, with the forward hitting it sweetly into the top left corner.

The Epirus club managed to go level before the break after captain Rodrigo Erramuspe slotted his penalty into the bottom right (37’) to ensure his team of their tenth draw this term, the second-highest amount by a single team that is eclipsed only by their opponents who have recorded 12.

The last two fixtures of the round will take place on Tuesday morning between OFI-Aris and Atromitos-Levadiakos.

Greek Super League Ladder (teams with a game in hand)

1-Panathinaikos:  54

2-AEK:  50 (22)

3-Olympiacos:  49

4-PAOK:  47

5-Volos:  35

6-Aris:  31 (22)

7-Panetolikos:  24

8-Atromitos:  25 (21)

9-Asteras Tripolis:  24

10-OFI:  23 (22)

11-Giannina:  22

12-Ionikos:  15

13-Levadiakos:  13 (22)

14-Lamia:  12