An injury time goal was enough for Panathinaikos to avoid a calamitous return to “Leoforos” with Kallithea putting up a tremendous fight worthy of a win.
The “Trifylli” drew 2-2 with the recently promoted outfit in their Greek Super League third round meeting on Monday morning at “Leoforos” ground in what proved to be a thrilling contest.
The action began in the 28th minute when Kallithea penetrating the Greens’ defence via winger Thierry Rua Moutinho.
Panathinaikos (the away side for this game) managed to equalise four minutes later from a corner set piece which eventually saw Filip Djuricic guide the ball into the net with his head.
The visitors found itself at the mercy of Kallithea’s attack on numerous occasions, leading up to them conceding once more in the 80th minute.
Former Olympiacos playmaker Mathieu Valbuena was the one to score and restore Kallithea’s lead, with the Frenchman tapping the ball in at the “Gate 13” end.
The “Trifylli” did find a way back into the clash in the 90+2nd minute following a free kick set piece wherein winger Facundo Pellistri struck the ball towards the back post and into the path of forward Tete, who then tapped it in.
The Brazilian’s effort saved the Greens from embarrassment, though their performance left much to be desired.
Two late goals in each half were enough to help PAOK to a 1-2 away success against Atromitos and make it three consecutive wins to start their league campaign.
Winger Andrija Zivkovic put the Thessaloniki giants in front just before the break (45+1′), which they held onto until the 85th minute when former PAOK forward Amr Warda scored a penalty to bring it level.
The reigning premiers fought to the end and midfielder Mady Camara stepped up to grab the win at the death (90+4′), keeping their perfect league start intact.
AEK got back to winning ways with a 0-3 away triumph over Levadiakos, making up for last round’s draw to Lamia.
Enosi opened the scoring on the stroke of half time via winger Aboubakary Koita (45′).
Fellow wide player Niclas Eliasson found AEK’s second soon after the break (53′) with Koita’s replacement, Mijat Gacinovic, finishing off the game with a goal in the 82nd minute.
OFI fought well to grab their maiden victory this season as they defeated Volos 1-3 at Panthessaliko Stadium.
New signing Taxiarchis Fountas managed to put the Cretans ahead just 11 minutes into his debut, giving the Greek International a fantastic start at his new club.
Winger Levan Shengelia doubled their advantage in the 50th minute and striker Andrew Jung soon secured their third on the hour mark.
The Magnesia team grabbed a consolation goal from forward Junior Mendieta (82′).
Olympiacos sealed their third straight league win after beating Lamia 0-3 away on Sunday morning, preserving their place at the top of the ladder.
The Piraeus giants were led chiefly by marksman Ayoub El Kaabi, who put them in front by heading in midfielder Chiquinho’s cross from near the halfway line (41′).
El Kaabi then made it two with a strike in the 79th minute before winger Gelson Martins confirmed the points soon after with an effort into the top right (81′).
Aris was held to a 1-1 draw at home to Asteras Tripolis, another impressive result for the Arcadians against a top Hellenic side.
Striker Loren Moron gave the hosts the lead after scoring in the 63rd minute before it was cancelled out by winger Crespi (81′).
The Arcadians did receive a late red card after forward Vasilios Mantzis was booked twice in the span of a minute (88′), though it did not impact them in securing a point.
Panetolikos got their season up and running after defeating Panserraikos 3-0 at home.
The Agrinio outfit went ahead through a shot into the bottom left by forward Sebastian Lomonaco (27′), and fellow attacker Sergio Diaz doubled it with a long-range effort into the bottom right (50′).
Midfielder Giannis Bouzoukis then sealed the win with a strike into the goal following a free kick delivery, earning Panetolikos’ first points of the season in the process.
Greek Super League Ladder
1-Olympiacos: 9
2-PAOK: 9
3-AEK: 7
4-Aris: 5
5-Asteras Tripolis: 4
6-OFI: 4
7-Lamia: 4
8-Panathinaikos: 4
9-Panetolikos: 3
10-Volos: 3
11-Kallithea: 2
12-Atromitos: 2
13-Levadiakos: 1
14-Panserraikos: 0`
