AEK beat Panathinaikos in Athens derby

AEK Athens made up for their UEFA Cup elimination by Cypriot side AC Omonia Nicosia with a 2-1 win over city rivals Panathinaikos on Sunday.

The opening round of matches in the Greek season included a high-profile fixture with AEK hosting Panathinaikos, against whom they hadn’t won in four head-to-head meetings.

Edinho opened the score for AEK in the 20th minute and Blanco converted a penalty kick just before the break.

Karagounis got one back for Panathinaikos in stoppage time but the visitors lacked the time to do anything else.

First leaders this season are AE Larisa, who earned a convincing 3-0 win over newly promoted Thrasivoulos Fylis.