Olympiakos beats AEK, clinches regular-season top spot

Chiquinho scored on Sunday the goal that may well settle the title race in Olympiakos’ favor, as his 90th minute strike won the Reds the derby against AEK and opened a gap of five points at the top, one week before the end of the Super League’s regular season.

As of this season, the title playoffs involve only the top four teams, meaning that the round-robin post-season mini tournament will only include six rounds of games, instead of 10 as was the case up to last year.

In any case Olympiakos has clinched the top spot for the regular season with its 1-0 win at Nea Filadelfia. The Reds were the most threatening team, four days after thrashing AEK 6-0 for the Greek Cup at home, but waited until the 90th minute to score: Bruno Onyemaechi sprinted down the left flank of Olympiakos and fed Chiquinho in the box who was practically not challenged at all by the AEK defenders.

“This is not AEK,” chanted the home fans after the goal, unhappy with yet another loss by Olympiakos, the first one at home.

Third-placed Panathinaikos returned to victories with a 2-0 result against Panetolikos in Athens on Saturday, goals coming from Karol Swiderski and Azzedine Ounahi.

PAOK has sealed its entry in the playoffs with its 2-0 home win over Asteras Tripolis. It had Taison and Mbwana Samatta to thank for their goals.

Aris will have to fight it out for a spot in Europe through the 5-8 playoffs (unless OFI or Asteras win the Cup) after drawing 1-1 with Volos away.

In other weekend games, Atromitos won 2-1 at Levadiakos, OFI confirmed its good form beating bottom team Lamia 3-0 in Iraklio, and Panserraikos defeated Kallithea 2-1 in Serres.

Olympiakos has 57 points from 25 games, AEK stayed on 52, Panathinaikos reached 49, PAOK climbed to 46, Aris is on 41 and OFI follows with 36.

Kathimerini