Former Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom has helped PAOK go clear at the top of the Greek championship table.

Akpom's stunning goal last week in a huge win against ­nearest challengers Olympiakos – his fifth in just six starts and 15 ­appearances overall – earned him a place in the hearts of PAOK's fans forever.

PAOK are now nine points clear with 10 games left and Akpom told the Mirror: “When you start to play, ­everything opens up and starts getting better.

"Olympiakos was the biggest game so far in my career. Over here, it's more than football.

“It's like a religion and it was the first time I felt the emotion going into the game.

“The fans had been waiting for this game for years. Finally PAOK are above Olympiakos. It was amazing to score and make everyone happy. I went into town to eat and everywhere I went ­people were stopping me to say thank you. I gave them a lot of happiness and they were crying."