PAOK got off to a flying start. Gargalatzidis wasted a glorious opportunity for the opener in the 1st minute, but Tzovaras didn’t miss his chance. In the 2nd minute, he went for the cross but ended up lobbing the rival goalkeeper , to give the “Double-Headed Eagle” the lead.

PAOK kept pushing for more goals, but Panionios were determined to play an open game and equalized in the 20th minute with a header. The home side reacted almost immediately, having luck on their side as well. Michailidis unleashed a powerful strike from a distance, its trajectory played a trick on Panionios’s goalkeeper and restored PAOK’s lead (22’).

García’s pupils kept ball possession and attacking initiative. In minute 38, Balogiannis made it 3-1 with a fine low shot from outside the box.

After the interval, PAOK remained in control with the same tempo and were rewarded for it. Kozak gave his side a three-goal advantage with a powerful header from Balogiannis’s cross.

The Nea Smyrni troops didn’t despair and managed to reduce distances again in the 67th minute, from a set piece. Two minutes later, PAOK came up with the answer once more. Kozak headed the ball towards Markovski’s path, who had only the goalkeeper to beat with a subtle toe-poke for a 5-2 lead.

Meanwhile, the black-and-whites were denied twice from woodwork and squandered more gilt-edged opportunities to score. The final touch on the score-line was provided by Panionios in the 76th minute, making it 5-3 with a sensational net-buster from outside PAOK’s area.

After collecting these three points, the “Double-Headed Eagle” are back at the top of the standings, a point ahead of Panathinaikos, with four games remaining on the league calendar.

PAOK U20: Siampanis, Lyratzis, Diamantis, Μichailidis, Τsaousis, Balogiannis, Μaniotis (65’ Mišković), Chatzistravos (80’ Ch.Papadopoulos), Τzovaras, Μarkovski, Gargalatzidis (46’ Κozak).