Greece round-up: Panathinaikos edge Athens derby

Panathinaikos FC surged to the top of the Ethniki Katigoria following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Olympiakos Piraeus FC in the Athens derby.

Own goal
Olympiakos surrendered top spot to their hosts when substitute Joonas Kolkka scored a 77th-minute winner to send the home fans inside the Leoforos stadium wild. Panathinaikos found themselves a goal behind after just nine minutes though an own goal from Renee Henriksen, but Emmanuel Olisadebe levelled matters with a header on 18 minutes.

Kolkka winner
Another own goal, this time by Sotiris Kyrgiakos, restored the visitors' advantage nine minutes after half-time only for Angelos Basinas to equalise with a stunning free-kick 18 minutes from time. Kolkka then made himself the hero with a speculative long-range effort that deceived Olympiakos's substitute goalkeeper Fanis Katergiannakis. Olisadebe was sent off two minutes from full time but Panathinaikos held on to take top spot.

PAOK third
FC PAOK Thessaloniki stayed third with a 4-0 home win against Egaleo FC. Playing the match behind closed doors at the Toumba stadium following incidents in the match against Olympiakos, PAOK opened the scoring through Giorgos Georgiadis in the 66th minute. Dimitris Salpingidis made it 2-0 three minutes later, before Georgiadis scored his second of the night with an 83rd-minute penalty. Giannakis Okkas completed the scoring in added time.

AEK hit six
AEK Athens FC are fourth after hitting bottom-placed Panahaiki FC for six. Demis Nikolaidis gave the home side the lead after 20 minutes, before Greek international midfield player Vassilis Lakis took centre stage with the first hat-trick of his career. He struck first with a powerful shot eight minutes after the interval and doubled his tally with another explosive strike three minutes later. His 74th-minute header completed a memorable afternoon before Dimitris Nalitzis and Vassilis Borbokis added further goals in the dying moments.

Joy for Crete
OFI Crete FC registered their first away win of the season with a resounding 4-1 victory at Xanthi FC. The home team took the lead when Spyros Vallas was first to react when goalkeeper Arian Bekiai stopped Ismael Bah's 15th-minute penalty, but Metodi Dejanov levelled matters right on half-time. OFI made it 2-1 through Mauricio Solis's exquisite curling shot five minutes into the second half and Roland Gomez extended the lead, before Kostas Kiassos completed the scoring four minutes from time.

Giannina victory
Struggling PAS Giannina FC celebrated their first win under coach Nikos Anastopoulos thanks to Thomas Kyparissis's 38th-minute goal against second-bottom Akratitos FC, while a Kostas Tsalikis goal three minutes from time gave Kallithea GS their first home win of the season against Iraklis FC.

Niren the hero
Elsewhere, Debah Niren, a revelation for Aris Thessaloniki FC this season, scored the only goal against Ionikos FC, and Proodeftiki FC suffered their first home defeat after a 61st-minute header from Andreas Lagonikakis won the day for sixth-placed Panionios FC.