Panathinaikos regains league’s top spot
Striker Maciej Bykowski scored two goals yesterday to help defending champion Panathinaikos beat host Iraklis 4-0 and move back into first place in the Greek league. Panathinaikos reclaimed the top spot as archrival Olympiakos held former league leader AEK Athens to a 0-0 draw in the seventh round’s biggest match. Panathinaikos leads with 16 points, while AEK drops to second place with 15, one ahead of third-place Olympiakos. Also, traditional title contender PAOK suffered a humiliating 0-2 home loss to league newcomer Ergotelis. It was the first win for the Cretan team. In other action yesterday, it was: Kerkyra 0, Egaleo 1, Ionikos 0, Kallithea 0 and Panionios 0, Apollon 0. On Saturday, OFI drew 1-1 with Aris, while Xanthi beat Halkidona 2-0. Panathinaikos went into the match on the back of a morale-boosting 1-1 away draw against Arsenal on Tuesday in the Champions League. Yesterday’s derby between AEK and Olympiakos – at the stadium which hosted the 2004 Olympics track and field events – was played before 65,000 AEK supporters, following an agreement intended to avoid fan violence. (AP)