17 September 2007, by Tom Kundert

Sporting see off Estrela with first-half double

Estrela da Amadora 0-2 Sporting

Sporting comfortably beat neighbours Estrela da Amadora 2-0 at the Reboleira on the outskirts of Lisbon yesterday to move into joint second place in the table.

A professional rather than brilliant display was rewarded with two goals inside the first half hour from Liedson and Vukcevic, and will put the Lions in good heart ahead of their Champions League opener at home against Manchester United on Wednesday.

Right from the start Sporting’s left flank caused the hosts plenty of problems, with full-back Ronny and midfielder Vukcevic combining well to set up several dangerous raids.

Estrela proceeded to commit suicide early on as Fernando inexplicably placed a back-pass straight into the path of Montenegrin forward Purovic, who picked out strike partner Liedson who had no difficulty in beating goalkeeper Nelson to give Sporting an 8th-minute lead.

The home side reacted timidly to the setback, failing to trouble the Sporting rearguard. A tame effort from Mauricio on 24 minutes that was easily gathered by Stojkovic was the only effort of note from Estrela in the first half.

Vukcevic shines

Sporting doubled their lead shortly afterwards with a well-worked move. Purovic played an intelligent pass for Abel to run on to on the right wing, and the full back’s cross was rammed into the net on the run by Vukcevic.

Although the season is in its early stages, midfielder Vukcevic certainly looks to have been an excellent acquisition by Sporting. Thanks to Montenegrin’s energetic displays, the loss of Nani has been hardly felt.

On the stroke of half-time Abel appeared to be brought down in the box by Mauricio, but after initially pointing to the spot the referee changed his mind and booked Abel for what he considered a dive.

No doubt with one eye on the Manchester United clash in midweek, Sporting took their foot off the accelerator in the second half. Even so it was the visitors who came closest to scoring, with Liedson firing over the bar after good individual skill had worked himself some room, and Djalo also coming close in the dying minutes.

A disappointing Estrela were largely inoffensive. Big striker Moses forced Stojkovic into a brave stop on the edge of the area and Luis Aguiar hit a free-kick well that the Serbian goalkeeper had to be alert to keep out, but the destination of the three points was never in serious doubt.

Estrela da Amadora:
Nelson, Rui Duarte, Mauricio, Wagnao, Cardoso, Tiago Gomes, Marco Paulo (Pedro Pereira, 29), Fernando, Mateus (Luis Aguiar, 77), Ndiaye (Moses, 63), Anselmo
Yellow Cards: Mauricio, Cardoso

Sporting:
Stojkovic, Abel, Polga, Tonel, Ronny, Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Vukcevic (Pereirinha, 88), Romagnoli (Farnerud, 59), Liedson, Purovic (Yannick Djalo, 73)
Yellow Cards: Abel

Goals:
[0-1] Liedson, 8
[0-2] Vukcevic, 29