AEK has solidified its spot in second place after beating Ionikos in the mid-week (Round 14) matches of the Greek Super League, with PAOK closing in on them.

“Enosi” secured a 0-1 away win over the Nikaia side in the Hellenic championship’s 14th round thanks to a first-half goal from playmaker and captain Petros Mantalos (21’). The match would have featured more goals if not for some strong goalkeeping performances, the lone AEK goal proving sufficient enough to maintain their five-point lead over PAOK.

Aris escaped with a draw against OFI though will be disappointed they fumbled a golden opportunity to rise above the Cretan side on the ladder. OFI took the lead in the 15th minute with a header from defender Triantafyllos Pasalidis following a free kick. Aris earned a late penalty which was scored by playmaker and captain Bruno Gama (90’), a disappointing finish for what would have been a major scalp for the Cretans.

READ MORE: Near rivals PAOK threaten PAS Giannina’s European ambitions

PAOK have made a strong statement in the league after decimating near rivals PAS Giannina, overtaking them into third place on 25 points. The Thessaloniki giants earned a tremendous 0-4 victory over Giannina on Thursday morning, avenging their home defeat to them in the championship’s premiere round. Goals to midfielders Jasmin Kurtic (31’ pen., 63’) and Douglas (68’) and striker Chuba Akpom (89’) secured the result for the away side.

Olympiacos’ star striker Youssef El Arabi bagged himself a hat trick to give his side a 0-3 win over Atromitos. El Arabi’s goals involved two penalties (36’, 62’) as well as a left-footed strike from open play (50’), taking the Piraeus side to 38 points.

Lamia managed a draw from 0-2 down to Volos, the visitors dropping points from a winning position for the second week in a row. Volos’ striker Tom Van Weert scored a brace (32’, 54’), the latter being a headed goal from a corner. Lamia got one back in the 59th thanks to a converted penalty from forward Bachana Arabuli before a header from midfielder Danny Bejarano made it level two minutes later.

Asteras Tripolis managed a 1-0 success over Panetolikos thanks to a late winner from substitute forward Crespi in the 90+1st minute.

The match between Apollon Smyrnis and Panathinaikos was postponed due to the Covid-19 cases at the “Light Brigade’s” camp.