Cyprus First Division round-up: Anorthosis regain top spot as Apollon lose

Anorthosis top again

Anorthosis regained top spot in the Cypriot first division as they beat bottom of the league Paralimni 4-2.

The match

Giorgi Kvilitaia scored a hat-trick for the league-leaders. He scored his first from the spot in the 13th minute after Josef Hušbauer was brought down in the box.

Το 93% από εσάς προέβλεψαν πως ο #Kvilitaia23 θα σκόραρε με την Ένωση. Αποτέλεσμα: ⚽️⚽️⚽️ You ask. He delivers! #anorthosisfc #anogifs #blueandwhite pic.twitter.com/SoZPyMaVmH

— Anorthosis Famagusta – Official (@anorthosisfc) November 29, 2020

Anorthosis doubled their lead in the 53rd minute when Kvilitaia was clumsily fouled in the penalty area. He made it 2-0 with his fifth league goal of the season.

Juan Felipe Alves Ribeiro halved the deficit with the third penalty of the match in the 63rd minute.

However, on a quick counter attack, Kvilitaia grabbed his hat-trick with a shot that squeezed past the goalkeeper at the near-post.

Jonathan Balotelli scored a consolation for the away side in the 86th minute.

AEL beat Apollon

Temur Ketsbaia’s side lead the table on 26 points from 12 games, going above Apollon who were beaten 2-1 by AEL Limassol.

⏱ #FullTime | 1⃣-2⃣ | Λήξη αγώνα.#ApollonFC #WeAreApollon #ApolAel pic.twitter.com/fYB9FhFPyl

— Apollon FC (@APOLLONOFFICIAL) November 29, 2020

The match

Matko Babic gave AEL the lead with a brave header in the 19th minute, beating the goalkeeper to the ball and heading it into the net.

Apollon were given a lifeline in the 72nd minute when Florentin Matei was brought down in the area. However, Sasa Markovic’s penalty was saved by Momsilo Raso. Matei made up for his miss by equalizing with a header at the near post five minutes later.

AEL Limassol went ahead again in the 81st minute as Sito Riera converted from the penalty spot after a trip on Andrija Majdevac.

They held out for a win, which put them into second place with 24 points from 12 games.

McCarthy wins back-to-back games

Elsewhere, Mick McCarthy secured a second successive win as APOEL Nicosia manager with a comfortable 3-0 win at Nea Salamis.

Victor Klonaridis scored a hat-trick for the visitors, who now have 16 points from 12 matches.