It was a familiar story at the Toumba. Lamia fought with 11 players behind the ball and looked to try and exploit any empty spaces left by PAOK on the counter attack. In fact, the visitors were the side who threatened first with Kotarski saving Tsiloulis’s attempt in the 4th minute.

PAOK generally worked the ball well, especially in transitions, throughout the first 45 minutes, played good football and did not give the visitors the chance to threaten much. At the other end of the pitch, Razvan Lucescu’s team were patiently and persistently looking for ways to break down their opponents and threaten Saranov’s goal.

In the first 15 minutes, Vieirinha and Lyratzis threatened with shots without success, before Biseswar then also failed to find the target. In the 23rd minute, Narey found himself one-on-one with Saranov, but the Lamia keeper thwarted him.

In the 31st minute, Dantas attempted a cross-shot, but Saranov touched the ball on to the post, while in the next phase of play Oliveira failed to make a good connectiong with a shot after a corner.

The Double-headed Eagle found the solution in the 43rd minute. Narey swung over a corner, Kurtić made an excellent move off the ball to evade his marker and scored with a header to make it 1-0.

The pattern of the game did not change in the second half. The two coaches did not change anything in their tactics, opting only to bring on some fresh legs from the benches when needed.

PAOK remained in control of the match until the finale, creating some good chances on Saranov’s goal, but they missed some important opportunities with Narey, Brandon and Lyratzis the players who could not find the net.

The game ended with tempers flaring and an injury to Dominik Kotarski, who took a blow to the head while coming out to claim the ball. The player was immediately taken to hospital for all the necessary tests to be carried out.

PAOK then managed to claim the three points, returned to winning ways after the draw with Aris, and climbed to second place in the standings, two points behind Panathinaikos, and the team now turn their attention to the upcoming match in Heraklion against OFI.

Team lineups:

PAOK (Razvan Lucescu): Kotarski, Lyratzis, Ingason, Koulierakis, Vieirinha (77′ Tsaousis), Dantas, Kurtic (70′ Schwab), Augusto (63′ Filipe Soares), Narey, Biseswar (62′ A.Zivkovic), Oliveira (63′ Thomas).

Lamia (Gianluca Festa): Saranov, Kornezos, Goranov, Adezzo, Simon, Jandaris, Beharano (83′ Giakoumakis), Slivka, De Vincenti (58′ Askovsky), Tsiloulis (68′ Marmentini), Manousos (58′ Boakie).