The Piraeus giants have scored a major win over Aris, navigating a very tricky fixture to maintain their position in the title hunt.
Olympiacos defeated Aris 1-2 at “Kleanthis Vikelidis” ground on Monday morning (AEDT) in the Greek Super League’s 19th round, ensuring they remain only six points off top spot.
The “red-whites” went ahead in the 17th minute as striker Fran Navarro headed in right back Rodinei’s cross, with the Brazilian defender then scoring himself from the penalty spot just four minutes later.
The “yellow-blacks” gave themselves some late hope when a pass across goal saw Olympiacos defender Quini accidentally knock the ball into his own net (90+1′), but it ultimately proved to be a consolation.
The win is an important one for Olympiacos, who would have fallen even further behind in the premiership race if they earned anything less than maximum points.
PAOK secured a fantastic 1-5 away triumph against Volos to preserve their place as league leaders.
The Thessaloniki giants opened the scoring in the 22nd minute through winger Kiril Despodov, with playmaker Thomas Murg making it two before the break (45+1′).
Despodov bagged his second after polishing off a well-worked corner set piece (51′) before Volos striker Milos Deletic gave his side some hope with a strike in the 58th minute.
Playmaker Taison restored their three-goal lead soon after with an attempt that deflected off a Volos defender and into the net, giving the Brazilian his first league goal for the “black-whites”, and young forward Stefanos Tzimas closed the contest with one last strike (89′).
Panathinaikos earned a 2-0 success over Asteras Tripolis at “Leoforos” Stadium to remain level with PAOK on points.
The “Trifylli” broke the deadlock in the 50th minute after Aitor Cantalapiedra finished off fellow winger Daniel Mancini’s ball across goal, with the Spaniard also playing a key role in the second by crossing the ball in for centre half Tin Jedvaj to guided into the bottom right with his head (74′).
The Arcadians finished the clash with only ten players on the field after midfielder Olukwatobiloba Alagbe received a late second yellow card (90+1′).
AEK smashed Atromitos 0-5 away to keep on the toes of PAOK and Panathinaikos, still only two points behind them on the ladder.
The chief architect of the victory was striker Ezequiel Ponce, who scored their first two goals (2′, 15′) before centre back Alexander Callens provided their third (35′).
Ponce then bagged another goal to complete his hat-trick, hitting the ball in from close range after his initial attempt was kept out by former AEK goalkeeper Panagiotis Tsintotas (58′).
Enosi scored one final time in the 67th minute via a corner header from midfielder Jens Jonsson.
Lamia made light work of Kifisia in their 4-1 win at “Athanasios Diakos” ground on Sunday morning to come within two points of sixth place.
The visitors went in front in the 12th minute through defender Loick Landre, but the Fthiotida would soon cancel it out via a shot from right back David Simon that deflected off a Kifisia player en route into the net (23′).
Lamia winger Ruben Martinez then put his side ahead (39′) before his teammate, Carlitos, doubled their advantage (56′).
Substitute forward Flosard Malci wrapped up the match with a strike in the 87th minute.
OFI has finally snapped their 11-game winless run in the league with a 1-0 home victory over Panetolikos, thanks to a 28th minute penalty from striker Luiz Phellype.
A first-half brace from striker Jefte Betancor helped Panserraikos secure a vital 0-2 away result against Giannina to strongly boost their chances of survival.
Betancor put his team in front in the 11th minute after pouncing on the ball following Giannina goalkeeper Boris Klaiman’s save of midfielder Paschalis Staikos’ long shot, with the striker heading in the rebound.
The Serres club’s forward then found his second just five minutes later as he went around Klaiman to knock the ball into an empty net.
Greek Super League Ladder
1-PAOK: 44
2-Panathinaikos: 44
3-AEK: 42
4-Olympiacos: 38
5-Aris: 30
6-Asteras Tripolis: 26
7-Lamia: 24
8-Atromitos: 23
9-Panserraikos: 21
10-OFI: 20
11-Panetolikos: 14
12-Volos: 14
13-PAS Giannina: 12
14-Kifisia: 12
