Panathinaikos continued their 100% start to the Greek Super League season with this victory over Aris.
They did need a late winner to overcome some stiff resistance from Alan Pardew's visitors.
Played in a febrile atmosphere featuring copious fireworks from the home fans this was an important victory.
Panathinaikos responded to the passionate home fans by pressing hard for an early goal.
But efforts from Cerin, Ioannidis, and the highly-rated Bernard were either blocked or put wide.
While at the other end a mistake by Sanchez allowed Aris a rare opportunity, which was saved.
Amid the noise, a cross from the right was hooked over by Slovenian Benjamin Verbic.
But as the half wore on the visitors, having quietened the crowd, established more control.
Though Aris had, from the start, adopted a strategy of slowing down the contest.
Overall the first-half possession had been edged by PAO but Aris had certainly held their own towards the latter stages.
The second half then featured a series of yellow cards and various substitutions.
Including the Aris striker Gervinho, who had few chances to work on.
Then the game burst into life on 67 minutes when PAO 'scored', from a deflected effort.
But it became clear, after the inevitable VAR delay, that there had been a least one foul prior to the final shot.
Although the ultras in Gate 13 set off their flares it was to no avail.
As the changes continued top-scorer Aitor Cantalapiedra appeared but, within a couple of minutes, he soon disappeared with a serious-looking injury.
It was a blow to the home side.
But their chances balanced out when Luis Palma was dismissed for a bad tackle.
That, and a few other altercations, meant nine minutes of added time.
But within two the old stadium erupted when a free kick reached sub. striker Andraz Sporar who headed in at the far post.
So PAO maintained their superb record ahead of meeting old rivals Olympiacos in the Derby.
They will have to cope without Aitor and watch for any mistakes in defence while controlling the excellent James Rodriguez.
For Aris, and their English coach, it always looked like a point was their highest ambition and they did survive beyond ninety minutes before finally succumbing.
report & analysis - John Bethell
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