AEK overcame a mighty hurdle against Volos, coming from behind after suffering a red card to bag their first win, while OFI secured a major success in their clash with PAOK.
Enosi defeated the Magnesia side 2-3 away in the Greek Super League’s third round on Monday morning (AEST), narrowly avoiding another disappointing result to start their league title defence.
The hosts opened the scoring through winger Milos Deletic, who pounced on a failed pass back by centre half Harold Moukoudi and slotted it under goalkeeper Cican Stankovic’s legs (8′).
AEK’s night turned even worse when playmaker Petros Mantalos was sent off for a dangerous studs-up challenge (24′), though they rallied despite this and found two goals from free kick set-pieces before the end of the half.
The first came via a header from midfielder Jens Jonsson (32′) while the second saw forward Steven Zuber smash the ball directly from the free kick into the top left corner (37′).
Deletic struck again to make it level (72′) before AEK won a penalty in injury time, with winger Nordin Amrabat stepping up and converting it to give the reigning champions a vital victory (90+3′), their first in the league this season.
PAOK suffered a shocking 0-1 away loss to OFI with the Cretans stunning the Thessaloniki giants with an injury time winner via Leroy Abanda.
The substitute defender ran towards the goal from the left and sent the ball past goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski’s near post and into the top left (90+7′), with the goal awarded by VAR after initially being called offside.
Olympiacos smashed Lamia 4-0 at “Georgios Karaiskakis” Stadium to move into outright first place on the ladder.
The Piraeus club went ahead after playmaker Kostas Fortounis’s free kick delivery was finished by Georgios Masouras (17′), with Fortounis himself also getting on the scoreboard soon after with a powerful effort (32′).
Lamia defender Stavros Vasilantonopoulos put the ball into his own net shortly after the hour mark (62′) and striker Ayoub El Kaabi added one final goal in the dying moments of the game (90+5′).
Panathinaikos earned a 0-1 away triumph against Giannina in a match of few chances.
The Greens’ winner came in the 74th minute through winger Sebastian Palacios, who met Daniel Mancini’s cross on the volley, striking it sweetly into the goal to secure the three points.
Aris sealed their maiden win this season in returning manager Akis Mantzios’ first match back in their dugout, beating Asteras Tripolis 3-2 at “Kleanthis Vikelidis” ground.
The “yellow-blacks” went in front with a tap-in by winger Alvaro Zamora (16′) but the Arcadians equalised via a well-struck finish into the bottom right by midfielder Julian Bartolo (28′).
Striker Loren Moron restored the hosts’ lead with a composed effort into the bottom right and centre back Fabiano gave them their third with a penalty down the middle (82′).
Asteras Tripolis got one back through substitute Vasilios Mantzis, who hit the ball in from close range (85′), though they ultimately fell.
Panserraikos secured their first point this campaign with a 1-1 home draw with Panetolikos, conceding late to just miss out on a maiden win.
Winger Savvas Mourgos put the Serres club ahead with a shot that snuck past goalkeeper Kapino’s near post in the left side of the net (30′).
The Agrinio team salvaged a draw, thanks to a 90+1st minute header from substitute striker Joao Pedro.
Kifisia went a step beyond fellow promoted side Panserraikos and bagged their first league win, downing Atromitos 2-1 at home.
The Peristeriotes suffered a double blow as defender Lauren De Bock inflicted a red card challenge just outside the box (36′), with striker Ognjen Ozegovic smacking the subsequent free kick with power into the goal (38′).
Midfielder Antonis Papasavvas then doubled their advantage with a phenomenal long-range strike into the top right corner (69′).
This proved to be the winning goal as Atromitos managed to get one back late via centre back Lucas Acevedo, who pounced on the rebound from goalkeeper Ogmundur Kristinsson’s free kick save to tap the ball in (90′).
Greek Super League Ladder (*played one game less)
1-Olympiacos: 9
2-OFI: 6
3-*Panathinaikos: 6
4-PAOK: 6
5-PAS Giannina: 4
6-*AEK: 4
7-Lamia: 4
8-Aris: 3
9-Kifisia: 3
10-Asteras Tripolis: 3
11-*Panetolikos: 2
12-Panserraikos: 2
13-Volos: 1
14-*Atromitos: 0
