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Liedson gets Sporting back to winning ways

Rio Ave 0-1 Sporting

Sporting were once again indebted to Liedson, with the Brazilian striker’s goal five minutes before half time proving the winner at Rio Ave last night.

It was a welcome return to victories in the Liga for Sporting, who had lost two and drawn one of their previous three matches in the championship, and was also particularly satisfying given that both Benfica and FC Porto had dropped points at the same venue.

The Lisbon club made two changes in defence. Pedro Silva came in for Abel at right-back and Marco Caneira timed his return to fitness to perfection as he replaced regular centre-back Tonel, who is out of action for a month after injuring a bone in his left leg.

Rio Ave have put in performances this season that are far better than their lowly position in the table reflects, and it was the hosts who were first to threaten when a well-struck shot by Niquinha forced Patricio into a sharp diving save.

The early scare sparked a strong reaction from the visitors, who proceeded to take a firm grip of the game. Both full-backs were productively lending their support to the attack, with Grimi looking especially menacing. The Argentine sent an excellent delivery to the far post on the half-hour mark, but Liedson failed to make clean contact with his header and the ball dropped wide.

Mistake punished

The forward was not to be denied ten minutes later, however, when Bruno Mendes dithered a second too long on the ball and was promptly robbed by Liedson. The quicksilver marksman ran with the ball towards the box and dispatched a clinical finish past Paiva to put Sporting into the lead.

Liedson has been in terrific form since returning from injury, and another winning goal was a fitting way to mark his 150th appearance in the League for Sporting, during which time he has scored 82 goals.

Rio Ave came out on the attack in the second half, winning a series of corners and putting the Sporting defence under increasing pressure. Paulo Bento responded to the danger by bringing on Miguel Veloso for Romagnoli and the switch had the desired effect as the Lions immediately steadied the ship.

On 63 minutes Sporting were denied a second goal by a dubious offside decision. Rochemback’s stinging shot was palmed away by Paiva and Liedson headed the rebound into the net, only to be disappointed by the linesman’s flag.

Derlei sees red

Veloso forced the Rio Ave goalkeeper into another good save shortly afterwards. But the hosts were given a boost with ten minutes remaining as a rush of blood to the head saw Derlei pick up two reckless yellow cards in the space of a minute to leave Sporting down to ten men for the closing minutes.

And Rio Ave were a whisker away from equalising moments later as a fine Livramento free-kick was only kept out by a flying Patricio save.

Despite intense pressure from the home team Sporting, with Polga and Caneira outstanding at the heart of the defence, held out to pocket the three points.

The Lisbon club will now focus on attempting to beat Shakhtar Donetsk at Alvalade on Tuesday to book their first ever appearance in the knock-out phase of the Champions League. As for Rio Ave, should they maintain this level of performance they will surely soon rise up the table.

Rio Ave:
Paiva, Miguel Lopes, Gaspar, Bruno Mendes, Silvio, Andre Vilas Boas (Tarantini, 68), Livramento, Evandro, Niquinha (Mateus, 75), Chidi, Semedo (Ronaldo, 72)
Yellow Cards: Livramento, Gaspar

Sporting:
Rui Patricio, Pedro Silva, Caneira, Polga, Grimi, Rochemback, Joao Moutinho, Izmailov (Bruno Pereirinha, 90), Romagnoli (Miguel Veloso, 59), Derlei, Liedson
Yellow Cards: Pedro Silva, Derlei, Liedson, Joao Moutinho
Red Card: Derlei (77)

Goals:
[0-1] Liedson, 40