PAOK has jumped ahead of AEK at the penultimate hurdle of the title race after recording a massive victory against Panathinaikos, with Enosi left to rue a damaging loss to Olympiacos that has made them concede top spot.
The Thessaloniki giants defeated Panathinaikos 4-1 at “Toumba” Stadium on Thursday morning (AEST) in the ninth round of the Greek Super League’s play-offs, putting the hosts in first place with a two-point lead over AEK heading into the final matchday.
The “black-whites” found their goal in the 38th minute following a massive error by midfielder Ruben Perez, with the Greens captain miskicking a clearance that saw PAOK youngster Giannis Konstantelias set up forward Taison, who then provided the finish.
The Thessaloniki side then made it two in the 72nd minute following winger Andrija Zivkovic’s penalty into the bottom left.
The “Trifylli” got one back soon after through striker Alexandar Jeremejeff, with the Swede guiding in a cross by defender Filip Mladenovic with a composed header, though PAOK captain Vieirinha would restore their two-goal lead in the 89th minute.
Zivkovic grabbed one more in the 90+2nd minute to polish off a huge win that gives PAOK the chance to secure the league trophy at the home ground of crosstown rivals Aris this coming weekend.
The result is monumental in the context of the title race, especially when paired with AEK’s 0-2 loss against Olympiacos at “Georgios Karaiskakis” Stadium.
The Piraeus giants took the lead in the 65th minute, thanks to a finish from midfielder Andre Horta.
Horta then found his second in injury time (90+2′) to guarantee the result and help lift his side into third place.
It is a damning blow for AEK and their aspirations of earning back-to-back premierships, and they will now be praying for a similar stumble from PAOK in the upcoming Thessaloniki derby.
Aris came from behind to down Lamia 2-4 at “Athanasios Diakos” ground, continuing right where they left off before the Easter break.
The Fthiotida club managed to finish the first half on top after grabbing goals via centre half and captain Adam Tzanetopoulos (35′) and forward Flosard Malci (43′).
The visitors came out firing in the second period as striker Loren Moron found the back of the minute in the 47th minute to halve the deficit, with the Spaniard scoring again (76) to make it 2-2.
The second goal opened the floodgates as Aris overwhelmed Lamia, taking the lead for the first time in the game minutes after their equaliser through right back Valentino Fattore (78′) before doubling it via playmaker Giannis Fetfatzidis near the death (89′).
It is especially disappointing for the home side who were in pole position to earn their first win of the play-offs, with their last chance to taste triumph being their away outing against AEK this weekend.
Greek Super League Ladder
Championship Group
1-PAOK: 77
2-AEK: 75
3-Olympiacos: 73
4-Panathinaikos: 71
5-Aris: 55
6-Lamia: 35
