Prijovic inspires PAOK comeback derby win
GREEK SUPERLEAGUE - MATCHDAY 7
| Aris | 1 - 2 | PAOK |
|---|---|---|
| Garcia 2' |
Prijovic (P) 36',84' |
PAOK fought back from a goal down to clinch a 2-1 win over Aris in a pulsating Salonica derby showdown on Sunday, maintaining their 100 per cent record in the SuperLeague with a seventh straight win.
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Once again Serbian striker Aleksandar Prijovic was the goalscoring hero for Razvan Lucescu’s impressive team, scoring twice to cancel out Mateo Garcia’s early opener for the home side to turn the match on its head.
But he wasn’t the only hero for the Black and Whites as goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalkis also saved a penalty from Hamza Younes in the second half in what turned out to be a dramatic Matchday 7 clash.
The result means PAOK move top of the standings with 19 points and are three points clear of Atromitos, who face Asteras Tripolis on Monday. AEK are a further three points adrift in third place.
THE MATCH
The match started at a frenetic pace amid a white hot atmosphere inside the packed Kleanthis Vikelidis stadium, and the home side got a dream start when they took the lead after just two minutes played.
Argentine midfielder Garcia worked himself some space in the box and let fly with a left-footed shot which beat Alexandros Paschalakis in the PAOK goal to stun the visitors.
PAOK did not panic however, and they produced a strong response, testing the Aris backline with wave after wave of attack.
The Black and Whites should have been level after 27 minutes when they passed up a double chance to score. First Prijovic was denied by an excellent save from Aris goalkeeper Julian Cuesta when he was clean through, then Cuesta was again on hand moments later to save from Dimitris Pelkas.
The equaliser was not long coming though, and PAOK were given the chance to level the match after 36 minutes when Manolis Tzanakakis was penalised for a handball when he blocked a cross from Vierinha.
And they did not waste the opportunity as Prijovic stepped up to slot home cooly from 12 yards and bring PAOK back on level terms.
The second half was just as enthralling as the first with both teams producing quality football and the game could have gone either way as both teams tried their best to surge forward and get a second breakthrough.
Aris had the opportunity to re-take the lead after 65 minutes when Amir Warda was penalised for a challenge on Portuguese forward Bruno Gama in the penalty area. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, but unfortunately for Aris fans Younes’ spot-kick was saved by the legs of Paschalakis.
That seemed to knock the home side’s confidence and PAOK began to control possession in the closing stages, and it only seemed a matter of time before a goal would come. And it arrived with just six minutes left when Omar El Kaddouri crossed dangerously for Prijovic to prod the ball home from close range to seal a priceless victory.
