Apoel finally got back to winning ways after three successive defeats with a hard fought 3-2 win over Olympiakos in highly-entertaining game in Nicosia on Wednesday evening

Apoel were the better team in the first half hour and opened the score in the 24th minute after Garner won the ball deep in Olympiakos’ half and crossed for Klonarides to side-foot the ball past goalkeeper Cupic.

In the final 15 minutes of the first half Olympiakos stepped up a gear and had three great chances to equalise through Mantzis, Salli and Sabinia, who all failed to find the target.

Apoel began the second half on the offensive and managed to double their lead through Ensoue, who rose above everyone to head in De Vincenti’s inswinging corner.

Just after the hour mark Olympiakos pulled a goal back after Salli’s shot went in off Ouzoho’s back after his shot had hit the post.

However less than a minute later Apoel restored their two-goal lead through Garner who scored his first goal for Apoel since joining them in January.

Poor defending by Apoel allowed Olympiakos to reduce the deficit to a single goal again for a tense final 20 minutes but the visitors managed to hang on and take the three points.

With the win Apoel moved three points above the relegation zone but at the same time two points from a top six position, while Olympiakos remained in 7th place, just one point ahead of their opponents today.