Olympiacos has sealed a major triumph over PAOK at their home ground in a result that has altered the complexion of the title race dramatically.
The Piraeus club defeated the Thessaloniki giants 2-3 away at “Toumba” Stadium on Monday morning (AEDT) in the headline clash of the Greek Super League’s 11th round, helping propel them towards the top of the competition’s table.
The “red-whites” went into the break a goal in front after young forward Charalampos Kostoulas scored a headed goal, his first ever as a professional footballer, before making it two via striker Ayoub El Kaabi (50′).
PAOK halved the deficit in the 59th minute, thanks to a goal from left back Rahman Baba, but Olympiacos was able to strike again through winger Gelson Martins (69′).
The hosts kept fighting to get back into the contest and even managed to find the back of the net again in the 81st minute through an own goal by defender David Carmo, though they were unable to draw level.
The result helped propel Olympiacos towards the top of the ladder, putting them level on points with Aris and AEK.
Panathinaikos scored a vital 1-0 success against Lamia at the Olympic Stadium to secure back-to-back wins in the league for the first time this campaign.
Lamia was handed a huge disadvantage early into the second half when a VAR check ruled that Vedad Radonja had committed a last man foul on winger Facundo Pellisti, thus seeing the defender sent off.
The Greens eventually broke though Lamia’s defence in the 73rd minute when playmaker Anastasios Bakasetas released a powerful free kick strike that flew into the net.
The result is hugely important for the “Trifylli” from a psychological standpoint, with it being the first time since last April they have managed to win two league games in a row, while it also crucially puts them just two points away from top spot.
A late push helped spur Levadiakos to a 3-2 home victory against Volos, an important milestone as they sealed their maiden win of the campaign.
The Magnesia side struck first through forward Mark Koszta (13′) before the “blue-greens” equalised via midfielder Marios Vichos (34′).
Volos went ahead again after striker Junior Mendieta found the back of the net in the 63rd minute.
The match seemed destined to extend Levadiakos’ winless streak when some late heroics saw them score twice very late into the fixture, first through winger Giannis Gianniotas (88′) and then via Georgios Katris’ free kick deep into stoppage time (90+4′).
Kallithea completed a spirited comeback to earn a 2-2 away draw with OFI, their seventh draw of the season so far.
The Cretans took the ascendency in the clash with a strong first half, scoring twice through striker Eddie Salcedo’s penalty (14′) and winger Levan Shengelia (29′).
The Athenian club made the most of the second half as they brough the game level via striker Giannis Loukinas (57′) and substitute Nikolaos Kenourgios’ corner header (77′).
Panetolikos secured a most impressive 2-1 home win to upset Aris on Sunday morning, thanks in large part to a last-minute winner.
The Agrinio outfit took the lead in the 17th minute through a corner header from defender Epameinondas Pantelakis, which was soon cancelled out by Aris midfielder Manu Garcia’s excellent long-range strike using the outside of his boot (41′).
The match was complicated for the “yellow-blacks” when centre half Lindsay Rose was sent off after committing a last man foul (77′), with the Canaries capitalising on the advantage as forward Christos Belevonis found the winner in the 90+10th minute.
AEK pounced on Aris’ loss as they sealed a 3-0 victory over Asteras Tripolis at “Agia Sophia” Stadium, matching the Thessaloniki side on 21 points to move back towards the top of the table.
Enosi went ahead just nine minutes into the contest, thanks to a close-range finish with his heel by left back Ehsan Hajsafi, and they soon made it two when winger Paolo Fernandes guided his free kick effort into the back of the net (31′).
The Arcadians’ night took a turn for the worse in the 36th minute after midfielder Oluwatobiloba Alagbe received a straight red for a high tackle on Fernandes’ stomach.
Striker Levi Garcia put the game to bed in the 59th minute via a tidy finish into the bottom left, with the visitors being forced to finish the clash with nine players on the field after substitute Theofanis Tzandaris also earned a red card following a VAR check (70′).
Atromitos stood tall in a high-scoring 2-3 away triumph over Panserraikos.
The Peristeriotes took charge of the game with two goals inside the first 13 minutes, courtesy of winger Makana Baku (8′) and right back Mattheos Mountes (13′).
The Serres club got one back soon after through striker Jefte Betancor’s penalty in the 19th minute, but Atromitos quickly restored its two-goal lead through marksman Denzel Jubitana (25′).
Betancor struck once more in the second half (64′), though his efforts were ultimately in vain as Atromitos held on to win the match.
Greek Super League Ladder
1-Aris: 21
2-AEK: 21
3-Olympiacos: 18
4-PAOK: 20
5-Panathinaikos: 19
6-Panetolikos: 18
7-Asteras Tripolis: 16
8-OFI: 15
9-Atromitos: 14
10-Panserraikos: 10
11-Volos: 10
12-Levadiakos: 9
13-Kallithea: 7
14-Lamia: 7
