10-man PAOK conquer Greens in Athens
GREEK SUPERLEAGUE - MATCHDAY 23
| Panathinaikos | 0 - 2 | PAOK |
|---|---|---|
| Mauricio 2' Jaba 47' |
PAOK opened up a 10-point gap ahead of Olympiacos at the top of the SuperLeague on Sunday courtesy of a comprehensive 2-0 away win over Panathinaikos at the Olympic Stadium in Athens.
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Early goals in each half from Mauricio and Leo Jaba proved enough to seal three more precious points for Razvan Lucescu’s Champions-elect from Thessaloniki, who could even afford to have a player sent-off and still keep a clean sheet.
Jaba was the player who went from hero to villain after he was was given his marching orders for a reckless foul on Dimitris Kolovetsios with 19 minutes to play.
But PAOK held on comfortably, as well as missing chances for scoring further goals on another great night for the club as they continue their quest to secure their first league title since 1985.
Olympiacos can close the gap back to seven points if they beat bottom club Apollon Smyrnis on Monday.
THE MATCH
PAOK came into the match looking to extend their lead at the summit ahead of Olympiacos, who play against Apollon Smyrnis on Monday, as well as put their home draw in the Thessaloniki derby against Aris last week behind them.
And the visitors got a dream start with a goal inside two minutes. It came from a poor clearance by PAO goalkeeper Sokratis Dioudis which lead to a PAOK corner. Mauricio evaded his marker at the back post to prod the ball home after the corner was sent over.
PAOK continued to be in the ascendancy after the opening goal, but there were only a few half-chances for both sides as the first half drew to a close.
Panathinaikos’ best chance then came in the first minute of added time, with Italian striker Federico Macheda sent clean through on goal courtesy of Giannis Bouzoukis’ excellent pass. Macheda’s shot was on target, but PAOK goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis fisted the ball away for a corner and the chance was gone.
PAOK began the second half in the same vein as they had started the first - with a goal two minutes after the whistle. And it was a strike from Jaba which all but ended the game as a contest at that point.
A poot header from PAO defender Emanuel Insua was picked up by Leo Matos, and the Brazilian defender crossed into the penalty area, only for Panathinaikos captain Dimitris Kourbelis to head clear.
The clearance was not a good one though, and the ball fell to Jaba, who did not need a second invitation to slot the ball home past Dioudis.
That strike was like a sucker punch for the home side, but they managed to regroup and get hold of plenty of meaningful possession as their sought a way back into the game.
And the Greens were handed with a chance when Jaba was red-carded for a bad foul on Panathinaikos defender Kolovetsios in the 71st minute.
That gave the home side 19 minutes to conjure up a couple of goals, but although they exerted plenty of pressure, a long-range strike from Insua and a Bouzoukis shot, both of which were parried away well by Paschalakis, was all they could muster.
PAOK should have made it 3-0 at the other end when they broke on a counter attack with four minutes left. But despite having a three-on-one advantage, substitute Pedro Henrique scuffed his shot over the crossbar with only Dioudis to beat.
STARTING LINEUPS
Panathinaikos: 1 Doudis (GK), 2 Johansson, 3 Insua, 4 Kolovetsios, 9 Macheda, 11 Chatzigiovanis, 18 Bouzoukis, 21 Kourbelis, 24 Mavromatis, 26 Kace, 44 Pouggouras
PAOK: 31 Paschalakis (GK), 3 Leo Matos, 5 Varela, 8 Mauricio, 15 Crespo, 18 Limnios, 20 Vierinha, 21 Biseswar, 28 Shakjov, 47 Akpom, 98 eo Jaba
