Reds open lead as AEK downs PAO
Olympiakos capitalized on Panathinaikos’s loss to AEK in the Athens derby last night to stretch its lead at the top of soccer’s Super League to four points. Six days before the big match between Panathinaikos and Olympiakos, the Reds defeated Aris 1-0 in Piraeus through an Albert Riera in from the second minute. They could have scored a second had Ariel Ibagaza not missed a first-half penalty. AEK also scored an early goal to win at home in the Athens derby. Rafik Djebbour made the most of a Josu Sarriegi error in the Panathinaikos defense and sent a low diagonal shot that beat keeper Alexandros Tzorvas. The hosts held on to victory as Panathinaikos could do no better than hitting the woodwork in the 40th minute through Luis Garcia. Kavala and Kerkyra surprisingly rose to joint fourth through their comfortable wins yesterday. Kavala beat Ergotelis 3-1 at home while Kerkyra returned from Panserraikos with a 2-0 victory. PAOK scored its second win of the season, beating Panionios 3-1 at home behind closed doors, while crosstown rival Iraklis grabbed a scoreless draw at Asteras Tripolis. Atromitos and Xanthi ended 1-1. The Thessaly derby between Olympiakos Volou and Larissa ended 1-1, but the focus turned to the railway station in the city of Larissa, central Greece, where local fans caused riots as trains were not stopping at Volos in order to prevent Larissa fans from attending the game. Olympiakos has 18 points from seven games. Panathinaikos follows with 14 and AEK with 13. Kavala and Kerkyra share fourth spot with 12 points. Asteras Tripolis and Iraklis have 10, Aris, Ergotelis and Olympiakos Volou have nine, PAOK moved up to eight, Atromitos has seven, Larissa and Xanthi have six and Panionios and Panserraikos have only four.
