Overnight leader Neuville lost the rally lead to Toyota’s Ogier in the day’s opening gravel test, but fought back to build up a 10.9s margin at the end of the Saturday morning loop.
Championship leader Kalle Rovanpera meanwhile boosted his victory hopes with two impressive stages wins to sit 23.7s adrift in third.
However, Rovanpera’s nearest championship rival and team-mate, Evans was forced to stop on a road section to attempt a fix on his GR Yaris that had developed a problem, dropping the Welshman to fifth (+1m54.4s).
Hyundai’s Dani Sordo climbed to fourth, while a puncture demoted team-mate Esapekka Lappi to seventh, behind Toyota's Takamoto Katsuta. However Lappi remains ahead of Ott Tanak in the sole remaining M-Sport Ford Puma after his maladies on Friday.
Saturday’s stages bore the brunt of the torrential rain of Storm Daniel earlier this week and the effects of this extreme water event were clearly visible.
The first test, Pavliani (24.25km), held in the Greek mountains, featured treacherous wet and muddy sections more reminiscent of Safari Rally Kenya.
The tricky conditions played into Rovanpera’s hands as the reigning world champion excelled to claim his first stage win of the event. The Finn was 1.3s faster than his eight-time champion counterpart Ogier, who made a significant move in the battle for victory.
Ogier managed to take 10.6s out of rally leader Neuville to transform a 2.8s deficit into the rally lead, despite suffering a moment in the stage.
Source: Autosport