LARNACA - Anorthosis restored their six point lead at the top of the table over APOEL on Sunday after coming back from behind to beat Olympiakos Nicosia 4-3.
In the earlier game, AEK overcame Ethnikos 2-1 to maintain their position in third place while closing the gap on Ivan Jovanovic's side.
Israel striker Barack Yitzakhi was the hero for Anorthosis after scoring hat-trick for the hosts while veteran forward Yiannis Okkas scored the other in the 28th minute. Italian striker Gaetano Monachello again demonstrated what a potent goal threat he was with two goals for Olympiakos. Marcos Michael scored the other for the Nicosia club.
APOEL beat Nea Salamina 2-0 on Saturday to keep in hot pursuit of leaders Anorthosis. Nektarios Alexandrou scored in 35th minute, while Dudu Bitton sealed the victory with a goal on his debut late on after being teed up by Mikkel Beckmann. APOEL have 48 points from 20 games.
AEL won by the same scoreline against Ayia Napa to keep the Larnaca side’s fourth place spot secure from Omonia who laboured to to a 1-0 win over Enosis following Andre Alves' 66th minute strike while Alki won 4-1 at AEP and Doxa held Apollon to a 0-0 draw.