A last-minute header from substitute Alexander Jeremejeff saved Panathinaikos from suffering back-to-back home defeats, ensuring themselves of a point in their derby with PAOK.
The “Trifylli” and the Double-headed eagle of the North played out a 2-2 draw at “Leoforos” Stadium on Monday morning (AEDT) in the Greek Super League’s seventh round, with the result preserving the visitors’ place in second.
The Greens started strongly but it was the Thessaloniki side that would score first as striker Brandon Thomas knocked the ball in from close range following a low-driven ball across goal (19′).
Sebastian Palacios brought it level with an interesting finish that saw left back Rahman Baba hit the ball onto the Argentinian winger’s right leg, the ball going completely straight and in off the left post (32′).
The chances were plentiful for Panathinaikos, though the efficiency of PAOK shone once more as winger Andrija Zivkovic restored his team’s lead with a wonderful curling finish that went into the top left (58′).
The “Trifylli” searched hard for another equaliser, their hopes melting away as the clock ran down, when Alexander Jeremejeff came to the rescue.
The Swedish forward headed Filip Mladenovic’s cross into the bottom left right at the death (90+6′), grabbing himself his club debut goal in his first appearance of the season.
Both sides will feel they dropped two points, PAOK being moments away from victory and Panathinaikos dominating the majority of the clash with over 20 shots on goal, though the visitors will take comfort in having protected their spot in second to remain above their opponents.
Olympiacos downed Giannina 0-3 away to go five points clear of second-placed PAOK on the ladder.
Winger Daniel Podence gave the Piraeus outfit a two-nil lead at the break with a pair of long-range efforts.
His first saw him drill the ball into the left side of the goal from just outside the box (17′), while his second came from corner set piece as he received the ball and struck it again into the left side of the net (23′).
Right back Rodinei polished off their performance with a left-footed strike into the bottom right (90+1′).
Aris were held to a 1-1 stalemate against Kifisia at “Kleanthis Vikelidis” ground in a continuation of a very mixed league campaign thus far.
The “yellow-blacks” took the lead 23 minutes into the game through striker Loren Moron after he met teammate Shapi Suleymanov’s header across goal on the volley, knocking the ball from inside the box into the bottom left.
Kifisia managed to draw level in the 75th minute via striker Ognjen Ozegovic, who headed the ball in from right back Giannis Masouras’ excellent cross, giving the away side their third draw of the season as they continue to prove they can be competitive.
Panetolikos’ woes continued as they lost 0-1 to Lamia at “Athanasios Diakos” ground, courtesy of a seventh minute header from marksman Carlitos that squeezed into the bottom right of the net, marking the Agrinio side’s sixth straight match without a win.
The contest between Volos and Panserraikos was postponed due to the effects of Storm Elias in the Magnesia region, leaving just two matches for this matchday which will take place tomorrow morning: OFI-AEK and Atromitos-Asteras Tripolis.
Greek Super League Ladder (games in hand)
1-Olympiacos: 19
2-PAOK: 14
3-Panathinaikos: 13 (6)
4-AEK: 11 (5)
5-Panserraikos: 9 (6)
6-OFI: 9 (6)
7-Lamia: 9
8-Aris: 8
9-Asteras Tripolis: 7 (6)
10-Kifisia: 6
11-PAS Giannina: 5
12-Panetolikos: 3 (6)
13-Atromitos: 2 (5)
14-Volos: 2 (6)
