PAOK climbed to the top of the Super League after securing a straightforward 1-0 home win over Larissa at the Toumba.
Karol Swiderski opened the scoring for the reigning champions after 16 minutes to notch up his eighth goal of the season to spark jubilant celebrations among the home fans.
Despite creating several further chances, Abel Ferreira’s PAOK failed to add to the scoreline, but they also managed to keep a disappointing Larissa team at bay with the Vissini unable to trouble Zivko Zickovic’s goal. After Olympiacos dropped points in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Panionios, it was imperative for PAOK to get the three points in order to catch their title rivals and move level on 27 points. And the Black and Whites did not fail to deliver, claiming a vital win which sets things up for an enthralling top of the table duel next week between the Thessaloniki club and Olympiacos at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium.
AEK produced another uninspiring display at the Olympic Stadium against Aris and had to settle for a point after coming from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw despite having a man extra for the final 37 minutes of the match. Daniel Larsson put Aris ahead after 64 minutes, following the sending off of the Thessaloniki club’s striker Brown Ideye in the 53rd minute. It took a disjointed-looking AEK until 82 minutes to find a response, and it came via the penalty spot courtesy of captain Petros Mantalos, after Lindsay Rose was adjudged to have fouled Andre Simoes.
The result means third-placed AEK lost further ground in the Super League title race, as Nikos Kostenoglou’s Yellow and Black team now have 18 points and are currently nine points adrift of joint – leaders Olympiacos and PAOK.
Panathinaikos missed out on the chance to climb up the Super League standings after being held to a goalless draw against winless Panetolikos at the Panetolikos Stadium in Agrinio.
Finally, Atromitos coach Giorgos Korakakis began his tenure with a morale-boosting 2-1 home win against OFI Crete at the Municipal Stadium of Peristeri, while Asteras Tripolis and Volos shared the honors in a goalless draw..
