AEL defeated Nea Salamina 2-0 yesterday to stay top, while AEK and Omonia lost more ground with a goalless draw in Larnaca.
In yesterday’s other game, Doxa made a triumphant return to victory with a resounding 5-1 win over Alki.
In Limassol, AEL’s Luciano Bembe scored twice in the 14th and 62nd minutes to hand his team the valuable three points which keep them at the top of the table.
His team dominated through most of the game, wasting many chances in front of goal before scoring again in the second half.
In Larnaca, neither AEK nor Omonia were able to taste victory, having to compromise with a goalless draw which left them both trailing in the league table.
Omonia is now sixth with 34 points and AEK seventh with 27.
The chilly, windy weather did not help a low key performance by both sides in the first half. Though there was more momentum in the second, particularly in the last 20 minutes, neither team was able to convert.
AEK should have been down to 10 players after a harsh foul by Katala on Serginio in the 74th minute, but he got away with a yellow.
AEK was unlucky to lose its goalkeeper Negri to injury in the 88th.
With all the changes already made, the team had to play on with 10. Zaid was moved to goal, but was not put to the test by Omonia.
In Nicosia, Doxa trounced Alki at the Makarios stadium 5-1, and moved to eighth place with 24 points.
The goals were scored by Leonardo, Vilela, Leandro, Economides and Christodoulou while Alki pulled one back with Lillis when the score was 4 -0.
In Saturday’s games, APOEL defeated Ermis 3-0 at the GSP and goes to the Antonis Papadopoulos to face Anorthosis on Wednesday with renewed confidence.
The Nicosia team made one of its best appearances this season and is now third with 40, one more than surprise outfit Ermis.
Anorthosis beat Achna 1-2 away to go to 37 points, while second-place Apollon defeated AEK Kouklia away 1-3 to go to 44 points, two away from cross town rival AEL. Paralimni defeated Aris 4-1.
Cyprus Weekly