PAOK have sent a massive message to the rest of the top teams that they are still a major threat in a huge statement win over Olympiacos.
The Double-headed eagle of the North left “Georgios Karaiskakis” ground with all three points in a much-needed 1-2 triumph on Tuesday morning (AEDT) to close the Greek Super League’s eighth round.
The Thessaloniki giants went a goal up just eight minutes in after Olympiacos’ Sokratis Papastathopoulos knocked the ball in from a corner into his own net.
Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez equalised for the Piraeus club, heading in left back Oleg Reabciuk’s cross to bag his first goal for the club (37′).
PAOK winger Khaled Narey stepped up with a fantastic finish into the top left from an awkward angle (56′), with the German’s effort proving the difference between the two sides.
The stupendous start continues for Panathinaikos with Lamia the latest victim to the Greens’ winning spree which has now extended to eight.
The “Trifylli” came out of “Athanasios Diakos” Stadium with a comfortable 0-2 victory on Monday morning, continuing their awe-inspiring league campaign thus far but not without some unfortunate consequences.
Panathinaikos winger Sebastian Palacios gave the league leaders the lead in the 23rd minute after latching onto teammate Bernard’s pass and lifting the ball over goalkeeper Bojan Saranov in a one-on-one opportunity.
Right back Facundo Sanchez then guaranteed the result when he hit the ball in from close range following a corner (73′).
The Greens come out of this battle worse for wear after five players left the field injured in what proved to be a scrappy and intense affair.
AEK earned a dramatic 1-0 home success over Atromitos via an injury time penalty to remain only six points off the top in second.
Enosi dominated the match in chances but could not find their way through until injury time when they were awarded a penalty, with forward Nordin Amrabat striking it into the bottom left to ensure the three points (90+4′).
A 90th minute equaliser helped OFI escape Giannina with a 2-2 draw to keep both sides level on points with five.
The Epirus-based side took the lead after a low ball across goal from winger Ahmad Mendes Moreira was tapped in by teammate Kevin Roserio (19′).
The Cretans drew level in the second half after midfielder Jon Toral finished off an excellent bit of team play with a strike into the top right (56′) but the hosts soon restored their advantage through substitute Claudiu Cristian Balan who tapped in another ball across goal (76′).
OFI midfielder Assane Diousse released a thunderous long-range volley into the top left to magnificently rescue a point for the visitors.
Neither Asteras Tripolis nor Panetolikos could find a goal as they resigned themselves to a 0-0 draw at “Theodoros Kolokotronis” Stadium.
Aris came from behind to down Ionikos 2-1 at home on Sunday morning to record their first win the three matches.
The Nikaia side went into the break in a fantastic position, going ahead through striker Vasilios Mantzis’ rebound tap-in following a parried Julian Cuesta save (42′).
The Thessaloniki outfit improved greatly in the second half and earned an equaliser via an effort into an empty net by forward Gervinho, thanks to an excellent pass across the six-yard box from left back Bradley Mazikou (62′).
Andre Gray then put Aris in front, guiding a shot from Mazikou with ease into the goal (73′) in what proved to be the winner.
Volos defeated Levadiakos 2-1 at home after falling behind to extend their winning run to four.
The travellers went ahead in stunning fashion as midfielder Thierry Rua Moutinho struck a perfect free kick into the top left corner (53′).
Captain Tasos Tsokanis levelled things after he controlled the ball following a corner delivery and smacked it into the back of the net (62′) before winger Milos Deletic hit the ball into the bottom right to confirm the three points for his club (67′).
Greek Super League Ladder
1-Panathinaikos: 24
2-AEK: 18
3-Volos: 17
4-PAOK: 15
5-Olympiacos: 14
6-Aris: 13
7-Panetolikos: 12
8-Atromitos: 11
9-Asteras Tripolis: 8
10-Lamia: 7
11-OFI: 5
12-Giannina: 5
13-Levadiakos: 3
14-Ionikos: 2
