Anorthosis massive win over Apoel

Anorthosis Famagusta made their title intentions clear on Saturday after beating closest title rivals APOEL 1-0 away to move four points clear of the Nicosia club at top of the league standings. Ronny Levy’s side now have their first word in the league title race while APOEL boss Ivan Jovanovic has got plenty to think about with his side losing yet another big game at home and with the January transfer window fast approaching. The only goal of the contest was scored on nine minutes courtesy of a header from Czech international striker Jan Rezek – his tenth of the season – while the Famagusta club, who had Ricardo Laborde in inspired form, also enjoyed plenty of the chances at the GSP Stadium. APOEL best chance came on 58 minutes when Christos Mastrou turned away Mario Sergio’s goal bound effort.

In the other games a Marcos Soares goal for Omonia in the 78th minute securing a 1-0 win over New Salamis for the Greens. A Fotis Papoutis gave Apollon a 1-0 win over Ayia Napa.

AEK Larnaca missed out on the chance to close in on second place in the league standings after suffering a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Doxa Katokopia.
Ran Ben Shimon’s side had been hoping to draw level on points with APOEL – 1-0 losers to league leaders Anorthosis in the big game on Saturday – but came unstuck against a resilient Doxa side who moved further out of relegation danger and close towards an unlikely top four spot. Nassir Maachi had given the hosts the lead but former APOEL playmaker Ricardo Fernandes levelled for Doxa after halftime. AEK tried desperately to seal the winning goal but Doxa forward Gaossou Fofana had other ideas snatching a dramatic winner for his side with one minute left on the clock.
Neophytos Larkou enjoyed a winning start as Alki manager as his side secured a 2-0 victory away to fellow relegation battlers Ethnikos Achnas who also had new manager Stephen Constantine on the bench for the first time.
Goals in each half from Arnal and Cafu handed the Larnaca club a vital victory in their mission to avoid to the drop.
In the other game on Sunday, Olympiakos ran out 3-1 winners at home to bottom club AEP with all the goals coming in the final 20 minutes of the game. Goals from Mercio., Emilios Panagiotou and Henrique got on the scoresheet for Olympiakos while Andreas Makris scored a late consolation goal for the Paphos club.

Cyprus Weekly