The “Double-Headed Eagle” went into the game determined to do what they know best: play football, win duels, score goals and get what they deserve on the pitch.

AEK settled quickly into the encounter and created danger for Alexandros Paschalakis’s goal, but PAOK’s keeper reacted splendidly whenever called to intervene. After the initial 15 minutes, the home side leveled possession and started looking for spaces between AEK’s double zone in defence. They also went close to an opener with a point-blank header by Fernando Varela. AEK responded with a shot on woodwork by Livaja.

Aleksandar Prijović’s class put PAOK in command in the 29th minute. The Serbian striker took advantage of AEK’s defensive mistake, broke into the area and fired past Barkas to make it 1-0.

Maurício and Dimitris Limnios missed the target and Paschalakis produced an impressive save to deny Mantalos before Mattias Gestranius whistled for the interval.

PAOK stormed out of the blocks for the second half and doubled their lead in the 59th minute. Léo Matoscruised past AEK’s defense after a fine run on the right flank, combined with Prijović serving him the assist and the latter finished impeccably to make it 2-0.

Răzvan Lucescu’s players controlled the game, wasted opportunities for more goals, while AEK had another shot on woodwork with Bakasetas.

PAOK won the first derby of the season and overtook AEK Athens in the standings, leaving them one point behind.

Line-ups:

PΑΟΚ ( Răzvan Lucescu ): Paschalakis, Matos, Varela, Crespo, Vieirinha , Maurício, Cañas, Limnios (75’ Jabá), Pelkas (81’ El Kaddouri), Biseswar (89’ Wernbloom), Prijović

ΑΕΚ (Marinos Ouzounidis): Barkas, Bakakis, Oikonomou, Lampropoulos, Lopes, Galanopoulos (64’ Klonaridis), Simões (87’ Ćosić), Bakasetas, Mantalos, Livaja, Ponce (70’ Galo)