Panathinaikos - Levadiakos 3-0

For Panathinaikos, this was a perfect game. I don't mean the actual performance - which wasn't too bad either - but all the benefits that the club reaped from playing this postponed game in the middle of the week:

1. Solidified first place, five points above the second team with 12 games to go
2. Returned to scoring more than one goal
3. Did not concede a goal again
4. Had a nice and comfortable game - almost like a mid-week friendly
5. Totse scored twice and won the accolades of the fans
6. Karnezis continued shutting out opponents - he hasn't conceded a goal yet this season
7. Sariegi scored (need our defenders to contribute one to two goals each every season)
8. Got back to good ball circulation
9. Got back to creating tons of chances to score
10. Got back to scoring early in the game
11. Continued the amazing streak of scoring at least one goal every game so far
12. Kept the winning record at home (haven't lost a point in OAKA)
13. The fans rewarding the players for their performance by chanting their names
14. The fans rewarded Sariegi and Totse especially
15. Karnezis won my trust with another solid game
16. Took more air off the second team's tires

There is really not too much I can say about the game. It was a sluggish affair with Panahtinaikos looking like two speeds above Levadiakos players. It ended up in a monologue of possession and chances that brought the very natural 3-0.

I don't remember when we were ahead by five points before, but it feels good. And it can get even better in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for a lot more fun ahead. If we go into the game with Olympiakos with this, or larger, point differential, we'll have a chance to humble their arrogance even more.

Video

The Players

Karnezis 9

He pulled a couple of really difficult saves and generally he looked like he has a lot of confidence and skill. He hasn't conceded a single goal yet this season, so maybe there is something to the incredible trust the club and coaches have shown in his skills.

Marinos 7

He is getting better and better each game he plays. He looked good on defense when needed, and since most of the time he wasn't pressed, he spent quality time down the wing.

Spyropoulos 6

Good work by Spyropoulos today. He too spent a lot of time down the wing. He is no Munch, but he sent a few good crosses in the box today.

Katsouranis 7

He played as a CB once again next to Sariegi and had a solid game with a few critical stopages on counter-attack attempts. Good job by Ferreira to keep him on defense because our entire defensive line was playing in center-field all game long and was probably more appropriate to organize the forward passing game from defense than Bjarsmyr.

Sariegi 9

He did lose his opponent once in the first half, but I can't expect him to keep up with a winger on a 50-meter dash, so I won't take points off for that. Besides, Karnezis did well to block the resulting tete-a-tete. Beside that, he looked like Terri back there, stuffing the plays with comfort and style multiple times besides scoring the opening goal. The fans seemed to really enjoy his game, cheering him on continuously. 

Simao 9

Besides having very few errors in his passing game, he looked like an immovable object out there. Opponent after opponent kept finding him in front and giving him the ball. He did an excellent job managing the game from a spot that older fans would remember as the number "10" (I mean the player who plays in the area half way between centerfield and the opponent's penalty area).

Vitolo 8

Excellent game by Vitolo who contributed to ball possesion with his midfield defense, and moved the ball forward really well. In general, he looks like he is getting more and more comfortable in the system where he can be a major contributor with his balance of defensive and offensive skills.

Zeka 7

Once again he was tireless and very energetic. In the last few games with Totse up front, he slides in the middle behind the striker, a position that he seems to do very well in. He was unlucky not to score once again, but he did everything else really well.

Quincy 8

Excellent game by quincy. I criticized him for not helping on defense much (he still doesn't), but in games where we win easily, he is a lot of fun to watch. There are times that I feel I am watching a skills exhibition game with Quincy on the ball.

Leto 9

He didn't score, but he did create three goals, so I'd consider this an excellent game by Leto who did a lot more too. He was unlucky not to score, but with Totse in he played a little farther back from the box and did his job just about perfectly.

Totse 7

He was at the right place on the two goals he made and generally he kept the center backs busy with his presence. I was happy to see the standing ovation by the fans when he was substituted late in the game.

Karagounis, Mavrias, and Petropoulos
all came in the game late, and there is not much to note besides Karagounis looked really out of sorts to me, Mavrias looked excellent, and Petropoulos had one nice shot on goal.