Panathinaikos stood tall in their huge rivalry clash with Olympiacos to give their premiership ambitions a huge lift.
The “Trifylli” defeated their archenemy 2-0 at “Leoforos” Stadium on Monday morning (AEST) in the premier fixture of the fourth round of the Greek Super League’s play-offs, delivering a crushing blow to the Piraeus giants’ title hopes in the process.
The Greens came out strong and soon took the lead after striker Andraz Sporar latched onto a poor pass back from Olympiacos defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, with the Slovenian slotting the ball into the bottom left (28′).
The hosts then doubled their advantage eight minutes later when an inswinging corner from the left was inadvertently knocked into the net by marksman Youssef El Arabi (36′ o.g.).
Panathinaikos played out the rest of the game relatively unscathed as they hung on for their most important victory of the campaign yet, keeping themselves level on points in first.
A late brace from Steven Zuber guided AEK to a 3-1 success against Aris at “Agia Sophia” ground to remain locked with the “Trifylli” for top spot.
Forward Levi Garcia put the hosts ahead with a penalty down the middle (36′) before Aris winger Juan Iturbe equalised through a tap-in after a long-range strike deflected off the left post and into his path (45+1′).
Super sub Zuber then stepped up to restore Enosi’s lead, releasing a thunderous effort into the right side of the goal (82′), and he then sealed the points at the death with a well-placed shot into the bottom left (90+5′).
PAOK emerged victorious in a high-scoring affair with Volos at “Toumba” Stadium, winning 4-2 after a dominant first-half display.
Centre half Sverrir Ingason’s sixth minute corner header gave the Thessaloniki side an early lead before winger Khaled Narey doubled it ten minutes later.
Narey soon made it three with a strike in the 27th and midfielder Tiago Dantas struck on the verge of half time (45+4′) to cap off a phenomenal opening period.
Volos improved after the break and soon got on the scoresheet after midfielder Tasos Tsokanis headed home a cross from right back Nikolai Alho (58′), with striker Ognjen Ozegovic then bagging a consolation strike in the 88th minute.
PAOK will be enthused by this performance after two consecutive losses left their championship dreams dead in the water, with their sights now set on trying to finish third.
The relegation scrap took another interesting turn this weekend as wins to Levadiakos and Ionikos brought the gap between 11th and 14th to just two points.
Levadiakos secured a 0-1 away triumph over Asteras Tripolis in the third round of the play-outs on Sunday morning, giving them a major confidence boost as they continue to fight for survival.
Winger Giannis Gianniotas found what proved to be the winning goal in the 36th minute after finishing off a well-worked team movement into an empty net.
Ionikos followed suit by earning their own 0-1 away victory against Panetolikos, thanks to a penalty from winger Seba, who deposited his spot-kick into the bottom left to take his side out of the relegation zone and into 12th position.
Lamia took the Nikaia outfit’s place in 13th after suffering a devastating 4-1 away defeat to OFI.
The Fthiotida team started well and even seized the lead after an aerial ball following a free kick set up perfectly for winger Ruben Martinez, who subsequently volleyed it into the bottom right (21′).
The Cretans would, however, find two goals late in the first half to overturn the deficit.
The first came through a wonderful grounded long shot into the bottom left corner from striker Nouha Dicko (41′).
The second was far more fortunate as midfielder Miguel Mellado’s long-range effort took a huge deflection before creeping into the bottom right (45+1′).
Substitute Jon Toral then struck twice with composed finishes in the 78th and 81st to put the game to bed.
Giannina hung on for a hard-fought 1-1 away draw with Atromitos, though they have come even closer to the relegation spots due to other results.
The Peristeriotes pulled in front early through midfielder Aguibou Camara’s eighth minute effort before Giorgos Pamlidis drew level in the 27th minute for the Epirutans.
Despite a series of chances, Atromitos could not break through and both sides were forced to settle for a point.
Greek Super League Ladder
Championship Group
1-AEK: 69
2-Panathinaikos: 69
3-Olympiacos: 63
4-PAOK: 60
5-Aris: 41
6-Volos: 40
Relegation Group
1-Atromitos: 34
2-OFI: 33
3-Panetolikos: 29
4-Asteras Tripolis: 28
5-Giannina: 24
6-Ionikos: 24
7-Lamia: 23
8-Levadiakos: 22
