24 September 2007, by Joao Pedro

Unstoppable Porto clock up fifth straight victory

Pacos de Ferreira 0-2 FC Porto

FC Porto continued their perfect start to the defence of their championship crown with a fifth straight victory away at Pacos de Ferreira last night. Two goals from Argentine striker Lisandro Lopez were enough to earn the Dragons the three points.

Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira made a surprise selection of young Brazilian forward Edgar in the starting line-up, allowing the in-form Lisandro Lopez to drop behind the tall striker in a more retreated role.

Pacos de Ferreira had only lost once at home in the league in over a year before yesterday’s match, and last season none of the big three managed a victory at the Mata Real.

However, despite another energetic showing from the home team, FC Porto showed their killer streak that has been so evident so far this season in the Bwin Liga to take all three points without fuss, albeit producing a far from brilliant performance.

Early strike

After just 11 minutes good work by Bruno Alves on the left set up a chance for Lopez and the Argentine needed no second invitation as he powerfully struck the ball into the net. Edgar then came close to doubling Porto’s lead but his header was well saved by Pecanha.

The home side tried to react to the goal, but only in the second half did they create moments of danger, most notably in the 50th minute when a corner led to a desperate goalmouth scramble that the Porto defence just managed to clear.

Midway through the second half Lopez scored his second to kill the game, beating the offside trap and racing towards goal before firing emphatically past Pecanha.

Ferreira and Furtado for Pacos and Tarik for Porto all came close to scoring with decent late efforts, but no more goals were added.

FC Porto will be delighted to have negotiated what looked a difficult start to the season with such aplomb, while a lack of firepower (3 goals in 6 matches) will be worrying Pacos de Ferreira boss Jose Mota.

Pacos de Ferreira:
Pecanha, Mangualde, Roversio, Luiz Carlos, Ferreira, Filipe Anunciacao (Pedrinha, 57), Dede, Fernando Pilar, Cristiano, Edson (Edson Di, 70), Ricardinho

FC Porto:
Nuno, Bosingwa, Joao Paulo, Bruno Alves, Fucile, Paulo Assuncao (Tarik, 82), Raul Meireles (Bolatti, 63), Lucho, Quaresma, Lisandro, Edgar (Leandro Lima, 58)

Goals:
[0-1] Lisandro Lopez, 11
[0-2] Lisandro Lopez, 67