PAOK beats Asteras Tripolis 2-1 as Mythou scores 87th-minute winner after two red cards

Early lead and equaliser

PAOK took the lead in the eighth minute at Toumba. Zivkovic played a sharp vertical pass and Serif Entiai finished to make it 1-0, his sixth goal of the season and his second in a row. Alessio Lisi's side controlled the opening half-hour and threatened the Asteras goal at intervals, with Asteras keeper Papadopoulos stopping efforts from Zafeiris and Kenny in that spell. Asteras, coached by Giannis Kontoes, then gained ground and increased their share of possession. The equaliser came in the 38th or 39th minute, depending on the report, when a free kick from the right bounced around the PAOK box and Kimbioka headed it past Monastirlis. The teams went in level at 1-1.

Bookings and the two red cards

Asteras created an early chance in the 16th minute when Kimbioka broke clear but lost control of the ball just as he was about to shoot. Kenny was booked in the 34th minute and Soretire in the 38th, while Kourbelis and Bronson were cautioned in the 42nd and 67th minutes. Kenny was then shown a second yellow card in the 63rd or 64th minute for a reckless challenge on Kourbelis, leaving PAOK with ten players. Asteras did not hold the numerical advantage for long, because Bronson was sent off in the 73rd minute for a foul on Mythou. Both sides then finished the match with ten players, and Banza missed a significant chance in the 78th minute.

Late winner

Mythou had come on as a substitute for Entiai in the 68th minute. He scored in the 87th minute after a cross from Zivkovic and a shot from Banza that Papadopoulos saved, following up to put the ball in the net for 2-1. Asteras pushed for an equaliser in stoppage time, but Monastirlis made a save to deny Papakanellos in the 92nd minute. The visitors could not respond, and the match ended 2-1 in PAOK's favour.

Next fixtures

Before this match PAOK had beaten AEK in the Superbet Greek Cup, a result that lifted the team's confidence, according to the reports. PAOK's next league fixture is against Olympiacos at Georgios Karaiskakis on 8 November, at 21:00. On the same day Asteras host Kalamata at 17:00. Both fixtures are part of the next round of the Super League.