AEL recorded their second consecutive big win, this time over Omonia, while leaders AEK deservedly defeated Ermis to remain at the top of the Cyprus football championship for yet another week.

The biggest upset though came at the Antonis Papadopoulos stadium where Anorthosis were defeated by first division newcomers Karmiotissa thanks to a long-range effort by Stavrou after a comedy of errors in the Anorthosis backline.

A large section of the Anorthosis fans could not hide their disgust and left with 20 minutes still to play. With the final whistle the few that remained booed the Anorthosis players off the pitch.

This was Anorthosis’ second consecutive loss under recently appointed coach Roni Levy who said after the game that his team needs new players but until then (the January transfer window) they have to “buckle down and work hard. We need to prepare for next season,” he said.

His counterpart, Liasos Louca praised his players for their win which he said was “thoroughly deserved” but also noted that “Anorthosis are a big club and they will bounce back.”

Having overcome champions Apoel last week, AEL produced another imposing display to defeat the other Nicosia giants, Omonia, by the same 1-0 scoreline.
The only goal of the game came nine minutes from the end when Lafrance was first to react after Omonia’s rookie goalkeeper Christodoulou could not hold onto Soouza’s strike.

A minute earlier, Omonia had a great chance to take the lead but Matt Derbyshire, having rounded the keeper, could not find the target with the goal gaping.

Despite failing to impress, leaders AEK had few problems in defeating Ermis Aradipoou.
The Larnaca team had a number of chances to make the game safe after a da Silva own goal gave them the lead just short of the hour mark.

AEK were almost made to pay for their wastefuleness as Ermis’ Antoniou could and should have equalised right at the end but instead shot wide from inside the area.

Nea Salamina leapfrogged over Anorthosis after defeating Ethnikos Achnas by a solitary goal.
Both sides had enough chances to win the game but lady luck smiled on Nea Salamina when they were awared a penalty deep into added time which their top scorer converted.

Ethnikos were left to play with ten men for the last 20 minutes after Stoychev received his second yellow card of the game.

A total of 61 tickets were sold for two ‘important games’ involving teams fighting to beat the drop.
Aris producing one of their best performances of the season, thumping four past a beleaguered Doxa Katokopias in front of 48 fans.
Gonzales opening the score in the 17th minute with three more coming in the second half through Antoniou, Frangos and Onilo.

AEZ and Anagennisi Dheryneia had to settle for a point each with the team from Dheryneia almost certain of the drop.

The draw though puts the Zakaki team in all sorts of trouble now as they dropped to 11th place.

Di Franco had given Zakaki the lead only to be cancelled out by Furtado’s 62nd minute equaliser.

Facundo Bertoglio rescued a point for champions APOEL on Monday night after scoring a last-gasp equaliser against title rivals Apollon Limassol.

The 1-1 draw meant Thomas Christiansen’s side have failed to win their last three games – following defeats to AEL and Astana – and needed a late diving header from substitute Bertoglio to avoid a third slip against Pedro Emanuel’s Apollon.

The game was marred by angry scenes in the tunnel as players from both sides clashed following claims that Apollon keeper Bruno Vale made obscene gestures to the APOEL fans.

Alex da Silva had given Apollon the lead midway through the second half after scoring a penalty which was won by Anton Maglica. The impressive Brazilian sent Boy Wateman the wrong way from the spot but then the Limassol club retreated as APOEL laid siege to Vale’s goal.

Bertoglio managed to rescue a point after creeping in at the near post to head home Vander’s clever cross.

AEK Larnaca continue to lead the league title race ahead of joint second APOEL and AEL while Omonia are snapping at their heels in fourth place.

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