The Piraeus giants continued their unbeaten league run with a great win over Aris, protecting their place as league leaders in the process.
Olympiacos downed Aris at “Georgios Karaiskakis” ground on Thursday morning (AEST) in the Greek Super League’s sixth round to ensure their spot at the top mathematically for another week.
The “red-whites” found their first following a counter-attack which saw the ball deflect off centre half Jakub Brabec into the net for an own goal (21′).
The “yellow-blacks” managed to draw level quickly into the second period when substitute Ruben Pardo pounced on a mistake by wing back Quini to hit the ball into the goal (47′), though a brace from striker Ayoub El Kaabi (62′, 70′) put Olympiacos firmly back in control.
El Kaabi’s replacement, Stevan Jovetic, picked up where he left off by adding in a fourth goal to bury the result (84′).
Playmaker Kostas Fortounis had a chance to make it five but his penalty attempt was saved by Aris goalkeeper Julian Cuesta (90+1′).
PAOK continued their strong form of late with a 3-0 triumph over Volos at “Toumba” Stadium, making it three straight victories in all competitions.
The Thessaloniki outfit found two goals late into the first half, first through a solid free kick header by young defender Konstantinos Koulierakis (39′) and then after an excellent counter-attack which saw winger Taison set up midfielder Thomas Murg for a sliding tap-in (45+1′).
PAOK striker Mbwana Samatta secured the points with a composed finish in the 55th minute, receiving the ball inside the box and dribbling past the goalkeeper to smack it into an empty net, despite the best efforts of a diving defender to keep it out.
Kifisia rescued a point against Lamia in a 1-1 home draw with an incredibly late injury time goal, disappointing the travelling Fthiotida side.
The contest did not truly kick off until the 84th minute when Lamia forward Mathias Acuna drilled the ball into the top left corner, giving the visitors what they would have thought was the late winner.
The hosts scrambled for a response and, to their fortune, found their equaliser in extraordinary fashion.
Left back Lumor released a shot with real venom from well outside the box, the ball going into the top right off the post for a truly remarkable goal (90+5′).
Kifisia midfielder Jack Ipalibo was sent off in the dying minutes of the clash for a second yellow card following a professional foul to stop an attack by Lamia (90+6′), which proved to be the final decisive moment of the game.
Panetolikos and OFI also played out a 1-1 draw on Wednesday evening, with the major action all occurring within the first 20 minutes of the match.
The Agrinio side went ahead, thanks to centre back Alexandros Malis’ effort from close range from a corner set piece (10′), but the travelling Cretans responded soon after through a swift counter-attack that eventually saw striker Luiz Phellype deposit the ball cleanly into the bottom left (20′).
Neither club was able to grab a second as they each resigned themselves to a point, preserving Panetolikos’ winless campaign so far as a result.
Three matches remain in this midweek round which will take place tomorrow morning.
These include AEK facing Atromitos, Panathinaikos challenging Asteras Tripolis and Panserraikos hosting Giannina.
Greek Super League Ladder (games in hand)
1-Olympiacos: 16
2-PAOK: 13
3-Panathinaikos: 9 (4)
4-OFI: 9
5-AEK: 8 (4)
6-Aris: 7
7-Asteras Tripolis: 7
8-Panserraikos: 6
9-Lamia: 9
10-PAS Giannina: 5
11-Kifisia: 5
12-Panetolikos: 3 (5)
13-Atromitos: 2 (4)
14-Volos: 2
