The “Trifylli” secured a mighty success over Aris in what could be a pivotal moment for their title challenge, with the result keeping AEK at bay temporarily after they themselves earned a comfortable win against Levadiakos.
Panathinaikos came from behind to down the Thessaloniki outfit 1-2 at “Kleanthis Vikelidis” Stadium on Monday morning (AEDT) in the headline fixture of the Greek Super League’s 22nd round, protecting their one-point lead in first in the process.
Aris went ahead ten minutes in after right back Moses Odubajo advanced forward and released a shot from just outside the box which took a deflection on its way into the bottom left.
The Greens soon drew level when striker Fotis Ioannidis expertly drew out the goalkeeper and passed to teammate Daniel Mancini, with the winger who joined Panathinaikos from Aris just last month smacking it into the goal (36′).
The league leaders then had a bit of fortune when forward Sebastian Palacios looped the ball up from a corner set piece that eventually found its way into the top right corner (86′), giving the “Trifylli” a late winner to seal back-to-back league wins for the first time since before the World Cup.
AEK smashed Levadiakos 3-0 at “Agia Sophia” ground on Tuesday morning for their ninth consecutive victory in all competitions as they continue to breathe down the neck of Panathinaikos for top spot.
Enosi took the lead through a free kick from forward Levi Garcia which deflected in (37′) before Levadiakos defender Themistokis Tzimopoulos gave away a penalty which also saw him sent off for a second yellow.
Nordin Amrabat slotted away the spot-kick (45+3′) and they soon had another opportunity from the spot, though this time Steven Zuber hit it over the crossbar (77′).
AEK frontman Tom Van Weert soon found their third and final goal with an easy tap-in to cap off a successful evening.
Olympiacos decimated Panetolikos 6-1 at “Georgios Karaiskakis” Stadium to make up for their disappointing 3-0 cup loss to AEK midweek as well as jump into outright third.
The Piraeus giants took an early lead through a goal from striker Cedric Bakambu before centre half Sokratis Papastathopoulos’ header doubled their lead on the stroke of half time (45′).
Panetolikos striker Nikos Karelis got one back soon after the break (50′), though it came right before a flurry of goals kicked off by playmaker James Rodriguez in the 61st minute.
Winger and new recruit Sergi Canos followed suit before Rodriguez converted his penalty to seal his brace (75′), as Mathieu Valbuena then gave the Agrinio side one final blow with a 90th minute strike.
A late comeback saw Asteras Tripolis earn a 2-2 home draw against PAOK in the most remarkable of circumstances.
The visitors started strongly as centre back Ivan Nasberg scored from close range from a corner (6′) and they looked set for all three points when forward Brandon Thomas made it two in the 82nd.
The Arcadians then came at the Thessaloniki club with a frenzy, scoring first in the 90th minute through a perfectly set-up tap-in for winger Sito and following it up four minutes later with a header from centre back Pichu Atienza.
Lamia’s horrid league form continued as they suffered a heavy 1-4 home defeat to OFI, the result keeping them stuck in last place.
The Cretans struck early through a tidy finish from midfielder Jon Toral (8′) before teammate Marko Bakic doubled their lead (43′).
Midfielder Assane Diousse released a wonderful strike from range which confounded Lamia goalkeeper Bojan Saranov (61′) and striker Luiz Phellype soon made it four following a VAR check which overturned an initial offside decision (88′).
The Fthiotida side bagged a late consolation goal via substitute Sotiris Tsiloulis in an otherwise dismal outing (90+5′).
An injury time winner saw Volos down Atromitos 2-1 at home on Monday morning, creating a four-point lead in fifth ahead of Aris.
The Magnesia club opened the scoring 56 minutes in with a long-range effort into the bottom right from Antonia Luna but the Peristeriotes soon found an equaliser when substitute forward Georgios Tzovaras smashed the ball home during a corner set piece (76′).
Midfielder Enzo Gaggi stepped up for Volos with a huge goal, smacking the ball in off the underside of the crossbar to secure maximum points at the death (90+2′).
Giannina was kept to a 0-0 home draw to Ionikos on Sunday morning, with the Nikaia team valiantly holding out for a point despite their captain Alaixys Romao being sent off in the 66th minute.
Greek Super League Ladder (teams with a game in hand)
1-Panathinaikos: 51
2-AEK: 50 (21)
3-Olympiacos: 46
4-PAOK: 44
5-Volos: 35
5-Aris: 31
7-Atromitos: 25 (21)
8-Panetolikos: 24
9-Asteras Tripolis: 23
10-OFI: 23
11-Giannina: 21
12-Ionikos: 15
13-Levadiakos: 13
14-Lamia: 12
