AEK has delivered a serious blow to PAOK’s dreams of winning the league after securing a huge triumph in Thessaloniki, with the defending champions now ten points away adrift of top spot.
Enosi defeated the Double-headed eagle of the North 1-2 at “Toumba” Stadium on Monday morning in the Greek Super League’s 21st round, with forward Erik Lamela bagging a brace to lead his side to victory.
The Argentinean gave AEK the lead in the 36th minute of the clash with an incredible volley goal, connecting with Lazaros Rota’s corner kick ball towards him outside the box and smacking it into the top left.
Lamela then made it two right after the break through a deflected curling effort from the edge of the box on the right side, with the ball hitting a PAOK player and sneaking into the bottom left (47′).
The hosts halved the deficit five minutes later via left back Baba Rahman, though they ultimately failed to bring it level.
The result means the Thessaloniki giants stand very far behind in the title race and will need to have a near perfect record from now on to have any chance of winning back-to-back premierships.
Olympiacos snatched a 0-1 win late against Levadiakos, with youngster Christos Mouzakitis spurring them to victory with his first ever professional goal.
The 18-year-old came up clutch for the “red-whites” as he released a finish from outside the box in the 85th minute, ensuring the league leaders maintain their four-point advantage for another round.
A first half goal from defender Hamza Mendyl (22′) was enough to spur Aris to a 0-1 away success over Kallithea.
Atromitos sealed a 0-1 away triumph against Panetolikos with captain Amr Warda securing the points through a 36th minute penalty.
The Canaries finished the contest with ten players on the field following a straight red to defender Epameinondas Pantelakis
Panathinaikos mustered a vital comeback to down OFI 3-2 at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday morning, rescuing themselves from a shock upset to deliver a win in Mimis Domazos’ tribute game.
The game began well for the Greens as they created numerous chances and even had an early goal disallowed, but the first half quickly turned into disaster as they went into the break 0-2 behind.
The Cretans gained the lead in the 27th minute after winger Giannis Theodosoulakis guided the ball into the bottom right, with forward Taxiarchis Fountas then making it two with an excellent headed goal into the same corner.
The “Trifylli” came out firing in the second half and they breathed life into the contest in the 57th minute when winger Facundo Pellistri polished off a wonderful team goal into the bottom left.
Captain Fotis Ioannidis then brought it level after winger Tete played through new striker Karol Swiderski, who then passed it across for the Greek forward to tap in (72′).
Panathinaikos completed the turnaround in the 81st minute in very scrappy fashion with Tete passing across goal to right back Georgios Vagiannidis, whose weak connection with the ball had just enough power to creep past the goal line.
The result is crucial for the Greens’ championship hopes as a draw or loss would have made them fall even further behind Olympiacos in the title race.
Neither Panserraikos nor Volos were able to advance their fifth-eigth play-offs ambitions after playing out a 1-1 draw.
The hosting Serres outfit was first to strike, thanks to midfielder Zisis Chatzistravos’ 22nd minute goal, though it was ultimately cancelled out by Volos midfielder Simon Skrabb’s 66th minute headed effort.
Asteras Tripolis faces Lamia in the round’s closing fixture on Tuesday morning.
Greek Super League Ladder (games in hand)
1-Olympiacos: 47
2-AEK: 43
3-Panathinaikos: 43
4-PAOK: 37
5-Aris: 34
6-Asteras Tripolis: 31 (20)
7-Atromitos: 28
8-OFI: 27
9-Panetolikos: 26
10-Panserraikos: 22
11-Volos: 21
11-Levadiakos: 18
13-Kallithea: 15
14-Lamia: 9 (20)