Greece round-up: Olympiakos lead the way

Olympiakos Piraeus FC are the winter champions in Greece's Ethniki Katigoria despite falling to a shock 1-0 defeat at home to FC Aris Thessaloniki on Sunday.

Delight tempered
A 3-2 reverse for AEK Athens at FC PAOK Thessaloniki secured the reigning Greek champions' position at the top of the table at the midway point in the season, but Olympiakos's delight was tempered somewhat by the reverse to Aris - their first home league defeat since September 1997. Nordin Jbari was the Aris goal hero, nodding in Saïd Chiba's cross in the 79th minute. But goalkeeper Theofanis Katergiannakis was the saviour of his team, pulling off a string of top class saves to deny the home side, who were applauded off the pitch despite the result.

Title challenge
AEK's title challenge faltered again as Yiannakis Okkas' 75th-minute header for PAOK saw them slip to a third successive 3-2 defeat. The hosts took the lead in the 18th minute through Giorgios Georgiadis but Demis Nikolaidis levelled with a 33rd-minute header.

No mistake
AEK took the lead from the boot of Vassilis Lakis seven minutes before the break but a lapse at the back allowed PAOK back on level terms two minutes later, Tassos Katsabis making no mistake with his head. Both team's pressed for a winner in the second half but it was Okkas who made the difference, his side moving to within three points of the leaders. AEK remain a point adrift of top spot.

First away victory
A 55th-minute header from Sotiris Kirgiakos was enough for Panathinaikos FC to dispose of Ethnikos Asteras, while Iraklis FC grabbed their first away victory in a year after a 1-0 victory at Panionios GS. Giorgos Nassiopulos netted the only goal after latching on to Georgios Vakouftsis’ through ball.

Xanthi on form
High-flying Xanthi FC kept up their good run of form with a controversial 1-0 victory at OFI Crete. The game looked destined for a draw until five minutes from time when Gerasimos Belevonis was adjudged to have brought down Abderrahim Ouakili, who picked himself up to score from the penalty spot.

Panachaiki struggle
Rock-bottom Panahaiki GC continued to struggle after a goal in each half condemned them to a 2-0 defeat at home to Ionikos. Luis Curbelo broke the deadlock as early as the fourth minute before Dario Delgado's penalty nine minutes after the break secured the points.