Aris rallied together to earn a major victory over league leaders Panathinaikos, allowing Olympiacos, AEK and PAOK to gain important ground in the fiercely contested premiership race.

The Thessaloniki club downed the Greens 2-0 at “Kleanthis Vikelidis” Stadium on Monday morning (AEDT) in the Greek Super League’s 12th round, securing their biggest success yet this season.

The “yellow-blacks” opened the scoring 43 minutes in after striker Loren Moron blocked a pass from goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli, hitting the subsequent rebound into an empty net.

They then managed to double their lead in the 72nd minute through a counter-attack that eventually saw forward Jonathan Menendez strike the ball into the top right, hitting the underside of the crossbar, to wrap up the win.

The result means the “Trifylli” has coughed up three points from their overall lead over the rest of the competition following triumphs for Olympiacos and AEK.

Enosi managed to get a 0-1 away victory against Giannina, thanks to a 7th minute effort from forward Steven Zuber.

Lamia and Atromitos played out an action-packed 3-3 draw at “Athanasios Diakos” ground, with the hosts holding onto their position in the top six.

The Peristeriotes stormed ahead early with two goals within the first 10 minutes, Lucas Acevedo (4′) and then Eder Gonzalez Torella (8′), before Lamia winger Ruben Martinez got one back (13′).

The Fthiotida side’s resurgence continued as goalkeeper Alexei Koselev kept out Diego Valencia’s penalty (20′) and midfielder Vykintas Slivka made it 2-2 minutes later (22′).

The hosts then took the lead themselves in the second half, thanks to a goal from left Sidcley (55′), when Atromitos earned another penalty which striker Nikos Vergos was able to convert (65′) in what was the match’s final decisive moment.

Asteras Tripolis sealed a 1-3 away success over Kifisia to propel themselves firmly into the middle of the table.

The Arcadians went ahead after a header from a free kick by striker Vasilis Mantzis (13′), who then provided the assist for winger Crespi to double their advantage (34′).

Centre half Ervin Zukanovic made it three with a goal following a corner (73′) to ensure the win, with Kifisia managing a late consolation via forward Thievy Bifouma (88′).

Olympiacos bagged a 3-1 victory over Panetolikos at “Georgios Karaiskakis” ground on Sunday morning to join AEK in coming within a point of the “Trifylli” on the ladder.

The Piraeus giants surprisingly fell behind following a finish from Panetolikos’ Ilias Chatzitheodoritis (13′), though quickly cancelled it out through a shot that deflected off defender Marios Oikonomou into the bottom right (17′).

The “red-whites” then pulled in front with a fantastic curling long shot from playmaker Kostas Fortounis on his weaker left foot (40′), with striker Ayoub El Kaabi heading in a cross in the second half to ensure the win (70′).

PAOK demolished Panserraikos, beating them 5-0 at “Toumba” Stadium to go only two points off of first place.

The Thessaloniki giants got their opening goal via a header by midfielder Magomed Ozdoev (21′) before midfielder Thomas Murg tidily finished the ball into the bottom left (28′).

Murg then bagged himself a second with an easy shot from close range (71′) when a corner kick from winger Kiril Despodov took a slight deflection off a Panserraikos defender, making it too awkward for goalkeeper Adrian Covan to keep out of the net (74′).

Left Rafa Soares polished off a perfect performance with one final goal in the 80th minute, striking the ball powerfully into the top left.

OFI came from behind to grab a 1-1 draw with Volos at home, with the result taking the Magnesia side off the bottom of the ladder.

Volos struck first, courtesy of midfielder Maximiliano Comba (40′), though their night was made a lot more challenging as striker Juan Manuel Garcia was sent off for a second yellow inside the first half (45+1′).

The Cretans capitalised on the extra man advantage and equalised on the hour mark via a phenomenal long-range effort by defender Gudmunder Thorarinsson.

Greek Super League Ladder (games in hand)

1-Panathinaikos: 28

2-Olympiacos: 27

3-AEK: 27

4-PAOK: 26

5-Aris: 20

6-Lamia: 16

7-OFI: 15

8-Asteras Tripolis: 14

9-Panserraikos: 13 (11)

10-Atromitos: 11

11-Kifisia: 8

12-PAS Giannina: 7

13-Volos: 7 (11)

14-Panetolikos: 6