AEK has leaped into first place after securing an important victory over Panathinaikos, with Aris providing a helping hand by scoring an impressive away win against rivals PAOK.
Enosi defeated the “Trifylli” 2-0 at “Agia Sophia” Stadium on Monday morning (AEST) in the Greek Super League’s sixth round, capitalising on PAOK’s loss to claim top spot on the ladder.
The “yellow-blacks” took the lead 30 minutes into the clash when right back Lazaros Rota delivered a lovely ball into the box that was headed in powerfully by striker Frantzdy Pierrot.
AEK managed to protect their lead throughout the match and eventually put it to bed in the 90+4th minute, courtesy of a penalty goal from winger Nordin Amrabat.
The result proved crucial on multiple fronts as they passed PAOK on the ladder into first.
The Thessaloniki giants fell victim to their crosstown rivals, losing 0-1 at “Toumba” ground to concede top spot to AEK.
Aris found what proved to be the match winner in the 63rd minute, thanks to a strike from playmaker Manu Garcia.
The Spaniard’s goal ensured his team’s second straight triumph in the league over a top club, having beaten Olympiacos last matchday.
The Piraeus giants etched closer towards first place after beating Atromitos 2-0 at “Karaiskakis” Stadium.
The “red-whites” opened the scoring in the 40th minute when Rodinei successfully converted his penalty effort, and marksman Ayoub El Kaabi sealed the points with a finish in the second half (74′).
It was an essential win for Olympiacos’ morale, with the team needing to bounce back after consecutive losses to Aris and Olympique Lyon.
A strong second half performance helped Panetolikos down OFI 1-2 away for their second win of the campaign.
The Cretans were first to find the back of the net, with midfielder Filip Bainovic scoring a wonderful long shot to put them ahead in the 18th minute.
It was not until the 65th minute that the Agrinio side found a reply via centre half Nikola Stajic’s header from a free kick delivery (65′).
The Canaries then went ahead themselves after OFI defender Ioannis Christopoulos accidentally deflected Christos Belevonis’ shot into his own net (82′).
Asteras Tripolis was kept to a 1-1 draw by Levadiakos on Sunday morning to keep Claude Makelele winless as the Arcadians’ coach.
The “blue-greens” went ahead eight minutes into the contest through an own goal by defender Oluwatobiloba Alagbe before Asteras winger Nikolaos Kaltsas evened it up towards the end of the half (43′).
Kaltsas’ strike proved to be the last decisive moment of the game as the Arcadians continued their poor streak of results since shockingly beating Panathinaikos in the first round.
Volos similarly played out a 1-1 draw with Kallithea to earn their first point in four matches.
The Athenian side managed to score first, thanks to forward Elia Giani (23′), though it was soon cancelled out by playmaker Junior Mendieta’s long-range effort into the bottom right (37′).
Lamia will take on Panserraikos in the remaining game of the round on Tuesday morning.
Greek Super League Ladder (game in hand)
1-AEK: 14
2-Olympiacos: 13
3-PAOK: 13
4-Aris: 11
5-Panetolikos: 8
6-Atromitos: 8
7-OFI: 8
8-Panathinaikos: 8
9-Asteras Tripolis: 6
10-Kallithea: 5
11-Lamia: 5 (5)
12-Levadiakos: 4
13-Volos: 4
14-Panserraikos: 1 (5)
