Igor wins the Athens derby

[aka Dus]

Biscan helps Panathinaikos sink AEK in Athens derby

By Barney Spender

ATHENS, March 5 (Reuters) - A goal by former Liverpool player Igor Biscan gave Panathinaikos a 1-0 win over city rivals AEK Athens on Sunday, dealing another blow to their slim hopes of catching Greek first division leaders Olympiakos Piraeus.

Several violent incidents occurred before the derby match, local media reported.

Rival fans threw sticks and rocks outside the Olympic Stadium and riot police had to use teargas to disperse the crowd after being attacked with Molotov cocktails.

Panathinaikos and second-placed AEK are now level on 48 points, 12 behind Olympiakos who routed struggling OFI Crete 4-0 to stretch their winning sequence to 16 games as they bid to win their ninth title in 10 years.

The Athens derby offered plenty of excitement but only one goal, Biscan stealing between two visiting defenders to head in after 52 minutes.

GOAL DISALLOWED

Panathinaikos had a second goal ruled out for offside against Dimitris Papadopoulos.

The home team were also awarded a controversial last-minute penalty when Yiannis Goumas appeared to tumble theatrically to the ground. Italian goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino then dived to his left to save Fanis Gekas's spot kick.

AEK had a chance to level in the dying seconds but Nikos Lymberopoulos headed wide.

Olympiakos had an easy night after Michalis Konstantinou headed them into the lead after 15 minutes.

A penalty from Predrag Djordjevic and a seventh goal of the season from Rivaldo put them 3-0 up at the break.

Spanish striker Dani came on for Rivaldo with 25 minutes to go and, after 604 minutes of league football for the club, scored his first goal following a neat interchange with Djordjevic.

Xanthi reclaimed fourth place after beating Egaleo 1-0 on Saturday.

They leapfrogged Iraklis who were beaten 3-2 at Atromitos, Giorgos Zacharopoulos hitting a hat-trick for the hosts.

[Eiler99]

 

Get in Igor!

[stressederic]

Way to go Igor!