The “Trifylli” has earned a pivotal triumph over their eternal enemies, Olympiacos, in a match they hope can be the launching pad for a strong push towards winning the premiership.

Panathinaikos beat the Piraeus giants 2-0 at “Leoforos” Stadium on Monday morning (AEDT) in the Greek Super League’s 21st round, keeping them at only three points away from top spot.

The Greens opened the scoring in the 25th minute after a cross from winger Sebastian Palacios deflected into the path of fellow wide player Bernard, with the Brazilian first hitting the left post before tapping in the rebound from point-blank range.

Panathinaikos then made it two on the hour mark after a superb bullet cross from playmaker Anastasios Bakasetas was headed in by striker Alexander Jeremejeff.

The “Trifylli” hung on to record a crucial victory that ensured they did not fall further behind in the title race.

Panathinaikos then made it two on the hour mark after a superb bullet cross from playmaker Anastasios Bakasetas was headed in by striker Alexander Jeremejeff.

The match is also Panathinaikos’ first proper derby victory this season (their only other win having been awarded to them by forfeit due to a firecracker being thrown on the pitch), making the result even more important to the team’s confidence moving forward.

PAOK scored two late goals to defeat Atromitos 0-2 away and preserve their position as league leaders.

It was not until the 89th minute that the Thessaloniki giants went in front, with midfielder Stefan Schwab finishing the ball from close range.

Young playmaker Giannis Konstantelias scored just a few minutes later through a fantastic long-range strike to put the game to bed (90+3′).

AEK downed Asteras Tripolis 4-2 at “Agia Sophia” Stadium for their third straight league success, putting them in good stead ahead of next week’s derby with PAOK.

Enosi took the lead in the 26th minute after a corner header from striker Ezequiel Ponce deflected off defender Ervin Zukanovic into the net for an own goal.

Ponce then doubled their lead just one minute later, heading in winger Niclas Eliasson’s cross to officially have a goal next to his name.

Zukanovic’s night turned even worse when he scored yet another own goal (43′), though the first half would somewhat positively for the Arcadians as striker Juan Miritello converted his penalty (45+3′) to finish the action-packed opening period at 3-1.

AEK striker Levi Garcia took the match beyond doubt with an effort in the 76th minute, with playmaker Julian Bartolio giving Asteras Tripolis a late consolation (90′).

Lamia scored an impressive 1-4 away victory against Giannina to climb into sixth place.

The Fthiotida side nearly pulled in front in the 13th minute, but forward Carlitos’ penalty was kept out by goalkeeper Vasilios Athanasiou.

Carlitos made up for his miss with a goal soon after (20′) and defender Pedro Amaral doubled their advantage just two minutes later.

Giannina striker and captain Pedro Conde halved the deficit in the 41st minute before Lamia earned another penalty.

Athanasiou saved Carlitos’ spot-kick again (61′), though the goalkeeper then made a mistake one minute later that led to midfielder Sotiris Tsiloulis’ goal (62′).

Tsiloulis bagged a second in the 81st minute to seal an important three points that puts Lamia inside the top six.

A brace to Ognjen Ozegovic has steered Kifisia to a vital 1-2 away success over OFI, taking them out of last position in the process.

Ozegovic gave his team the lead in the tenth minute with a successful penalty and the striker made it two with a goal in the 64th minute.

The Cretans got one back through midfielder Giannis Apostolakis (71′) after he scored with his back from a corner, though that would prove to be the final decisive moment of the match.

Panserraikos struck at the death to steal a 1-1 home draw against Aris on Sunday morning.

The Thessaloniki outfit went ahead 52 minutes in through a superb strike from forward Loren Moron, but the goal would eventually be cancelled out due to Panserraikos midfielder Kosta Aleksic’s late header (90+5′).

Volos and Panetolikos were forced to settle for a 1-1 stalemate, keeping each club well in the mix of the relegation scrap.

The Agrinio side struck first, thanks to a volley from midfielder Levan Shengelia (8′), before Volos equalised quickly after via striker Juan Manuel Garcia (15′) in what was the match’s final goal.

Greek Super League Ladder

1-PAOK: 50

2-AEK: 48

3-Panathinaikos: 47

4-Olympiacos: 41

5-Aris: 34

6-Lamia: 30

7-Asteras Tripolis: 29

8-Panserraikos: 23

9-Atromitos: 23

10-OFI: 20

11-Volos: 16

12-Panetolikos: 15

13-Kifisia: 15

14-PAS Giannina: 12