23 September 2006, by Tom Kundert

Porto power to comfortable win

FC Porto 3-0 Beira-Mar

A strong second-half display was enough for FC Porto to clock up their fourth consecutive win against an inoffensive Beira-Mar at the Estadio do Dragao last night. Goals from forwards Helder Postiga, Lisandro Lopez and Tarik Sektioui extended the champions perfect start to the season.

Jesualdo Ferreira rested Porto’s outstanding performer so far this season, Anderson, ahead of the Champions League encounter against Arsenal in London on Tuesday.

On a night when Jardel returned to the venue where he celebrated endless goals, it was his team-mate Luciano Ratinho, who almost surprised the home team on 18 minutes when he forced Porto goalkeeper Helton into a sharp stop.

Apart from some early efforts from Postiga and Adriano, an off-colour Porto failed to seriously trouble the Beira-Mar defence in a largely forgettable first half.

Half-time shake-up

At the interval Jesualdo Ferreira obviously decided he did not like what he had seen, and brought on Anderson and Argentine striker Lisandro Lopez for the anonymous Jorginho and Adriano.

Porto improved immediately, with Anderson at the heart of some far more purposeful attacking movement, but for once the Brazilian was outshined by Quaresma who caused no end of problems for the Beira-Mar rearguard with some mesmerising wing play.

On 53 minutes Helder Postiga, the forgotten man of Porto in recent seasons, put the home side in front with a wonderfully taken goal. Tight control took and great skill took him past Alcaraz, and a swivel and shot sent the ball fizzing past goalkeeper Danrlei and into the net.

Postiga then ended a flowing move by knocking the ball into the net again, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. On 73 minutes Lisandro put the result beyond doubt when he took advantage of a mix-up between Alcaraz and Danrlei to score the second for the Dragons.

A miserable night for Alcaraz was completed when he was shown a straight red card for bringing down Anderson as the Brazilian was about to sprint clear.

Jardel Tribute

There then followed a remarkable moment as Jardel was substituted and the big crowd rose as one to give their former hero rapturous applause as he trotted off the pitch, with Jardel clapping back to all four sides of the stadium in appreciation for the gesture.

Tarik added the third goal after playing a perfect one-two with Lopez to send Porto on their way to England in good heart.

FC Porto:
Helton, Bosingwa, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Cech, Paulo Assuncao, Lucho, Jorginho (Anderson, 46), Quaresma, Helder Postiga (Tarik, 68), Adriano (Lisandro, 46)
Yellow Cards: Helder Postiga (54), Paulo Assuncao (61)

Beira-Mar:
Danrlei, Jorge Vidigal, Jorge Silva, Alcaraz, Tininho, Diakite, Emerson (Marco, 76), Rui Lima, Luciano Ratinho (Andre Leao, 62), Wegno, Jardel (Jorge Leitao, 79)
Yellow Cards: Jorge Vidigal (60), Emerson (69)
Red Card: Alcaraz (75)

Goals:
[1-0] Helder Postiga, 54
[2-0] Lisandro Lopez, 73
[3-0] Tarik Sektioui, 91