SLGR Matchday 8 Recap: PAOK Break Free Of The Pack After Derby Win
AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis brings you a full recap of matchday 8 action in the Greek SuperLeague.
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PAOK went clear of the chasing pack on Matchday 8 of the 2018/19 Greek Super League after a 2-0 victory over Panathinaikos. It was the first defeat of the season for Giorgos Donis’ upstarts as PAOK stay perfect on the season with their eighth consecutive victory.
Atromitos may have fallen off the top of the standings, but a last-gasp goal against Panionios saw the Peristeri side stay undefeated in a 2-2 draw in Nea Smyrni.
Elsewhere, AEK romped to an emphatic 4-0 victory over Aris on Sunday, while Olympiacos found the going tougher in defeating Apollon Smirnis with a late goal. Xanthi and Lamia also picked up victories in a round where no away side was able to record a win (five hosts won along with three draws).
PAOK received two second half goals in order to see off the challenge of Panathinaikos on Monday. The 2-0 win came thanks to strikes from Aleksandar Prijovic and Dimitris Limnios. Panathinaikos found the going tough at Toumba as they went down to their first loss of the season. The win gives Razvan Lucescu’s men their eighth straight in the new season as they take sole position of first place in the standings.
Atromitos managed to stay undefeated even if they dropped points in a 2-2 draw away to Panionios. Efthimios Koulouris scored once again for Atromitos as he levelled for Damir Canadi’s side in the first half after Panionios led through Panagiotis Korbos. Two late strikes highlighted an exhilirating clash as the home side looked to have won it two minutes from the end with a Giorgos Masouras goal before the Peristeriotes snatched a point with a last-second Yaya Banana own goal on the last kick of the match.
AEK managed the score of the weekend with Sunday’s 4-0 rout of Aris. Marinos Ouzounidis’ side were in complete control at the Olympic Stadium as Ezequiel Ponce scored a brace for the hosts in the first 15 minutes of the second half. AEK also received goals from Lucas Boye (5’) and Marko Livaka (72’) as they came away with a comfortable win that keeps them third in the table.
Olympiacos labored to a 1-0 win over bottom side Apollon Smirnis. The visitors are on zero points this season, though a committed display almost saw them sneak a draw in Piraeus. Substitute striker Dimitris Manos came on to score the winner in the 89th minute.
A second-half fight back saw Xanthi come from behind to defeat PAS Giannina 2-1 in Xanthi. A 21st minute goal from Giannis Mystakidis gave PAS the lead. That lasted until just after the hour mark when Brito brought to the match back to level terms. The winner for Xanthi came 13 minutes from the end as Erik Jendrisek popped up to score the goal that gave his side the three points and move up to fifth in the table.
Lamia gave up a 2-0 lead (Facundo Bertoglio ‘11, Jeronimo Barrales 24’), but used a Daniel Adejo strike seven minute from time to defeat Levadiakos 3-2. The losing side had come back to tie the match 2-2 with goals from Lenny Nangis (60’) and Petros Giakoumakis (81’).
Finally, two draws rounded out the weekend action. Panetolikos were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at home with Asteras Tripolis as the visiting team equalized late on through Nikos Kaltsas. Traianos Dellas’ men had been in front since a 66th goal from talisman Vlad Morar. On Saturday, Larisa and OFI played out a rather uninspired 0-0 draw in Larisa.
Matchday MVP - Ezequiel Ponce (AEK)
The on-loan Roma striker was the star of the weekend. The 21-year-old Argentine scored two well-taken goals to give AEK a big victory over Aris. With five goals already in league play, Ponce looks like the perfect replacement this season to the departed Sergio Araujo.
Goal of the Matchday - Panagiotis Korbos (Panionios)
There were some fine team goals this weekend, however an individual effort takes the cake this week. Specifically, the stupendous instinctive chip scored by Panionios captain Korbos, who took a short pass from Giorgos Masouras, and flicked it over Balasz Megyeri to open the scoring in the 2-2 draw with Atromitos.
Save of the Matchday - Sokratis Dioudis (Panathinaikos)
What a fine save by the Panathinaikos keeper. Aleksandar Prijovic’s header on the half-hour mark looked destined for goal until Dioudis acrobatically threw an arm up to tip the ball wide. A truly splendid stop in a weekend of good saves.
Team Performance of the Matchday - AEK
Aris may be blowing hot and cold so far this season, but despite their away problems, AEK still looked very impressive at times in a 4-0 win. It may not have been a perfect performance from the Kitrinomavri, however AEK sent a message with the result indicating they still have plenty to say with regard to keeping their title.
Surprise of the Matchday - Asteras Tripolis
It has been a rotten season thus far for Asteras, but Nikos Kaltsas’ late goal to secure a point could be a turning point. Looking like they would go down to sure defeat in Agrinio against Panetolikos, Asteras fought to the end and were rewarded with a point at a tough ground to play at.
Disappointment of the Matchday - Aris
They may have been superb to start the season, but Aris went down to another defeat this weekend. The loss to AEK may not have been a huge shock, but the margin of victory for the Enosi will be cause for concern for the Thessaloniki team. Paco Herrera will need his team to find their early season form if they are to have a chance to fight for a European berth this season.
