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Sensational Leixoes stun Sporting

Sporting 0-1 Leixoes

A long-range goal from Roberto Sousa (pictured) in the second half proved enough for Leixoes to beat Sporting at Alvalade last night.

Jose Mota’s team withstood heavy pressure throughout from the hosts, especially during the first half. However, the Matosinhos side showed why they are top of table as they never lost their shape, played some neat football, and were rewarded for a solid and determined team effort.

A bright opening from the home side should have led to the first goal on 18 minutes. Liedson slipped a pass through to Romagnoli and the Argentine touched the ball past the last defender and seemed certain to score but Leixoes goalkeeper Beto pulled off the first of what would be a series of outstanding saves.

Leixoes striker Braga was next to show a deft touch as nifty footwork saw him trick his way past debutant Carrico, and test Patricio’s reflexes with a firm cross-shot.

Beto brick wall

Play switched to the other end as Carrico headed a Veloso free-kick just over the bar. As the half-time interval approached Postiga latched onto a perfect throughball from strike partner Liedson, but his shot from the edge of the box was deflected for a corner by Beto’s outstretched foot.

The second half brought a change to the pattern of the game as tighter Leixoes marking made it difficult for Sporting to carve out chances. And the visitors almost took the lead on 60 minutes as a poor clearance by Veloso saw Morais hit a powerful volley towards goal that forced Patricio into a fine save.

Sporting hit back immediately and Romagnoli discovered Postiga in a crowded box but the striker was again thwarted by Beto – a goalkeeper who had been on Sporting’s books as a youth player during Peter Schmeichel’s time at the Lisbon club.

Mistake punished

The majority of the big crowd in the stadium was then stunned as Izmailov carelessly gave away the ball near the edge of the box and Roberto Sousa needed no second invitation as he fired a low hard shot into the corner of the net. Soon after Wesley headed just wide from a corner as Leixoes grew further in confidence.

The last twenty minutes were largely controlled by intelligent and calm play from the visitors, although they were indebted to Beto on two more occasions as the inspired keeper saved in spectacular fashion from Djalo and Postiga.

Yet the best chances of the closing minutes fell to Leixoes from dangerous counter-attacks, with Ze Manel heading straight at Patricio from point-blank range before the same player sent a shot crashing back off the post.

The result is Leixoes fourth straight win away from home, two of those victories coming at Porto and Sporting, and on this form the northerners will take some dislodging from top spot.

Sporting:
Rui Patricio, Abel, Polga, Daniel Carrico (Yannick Djalo, 73), Miguel Veloso, Rochemback (Pedro Silva, 35) (Grimi, 44), Moutinho, Izmailov, Romagnoli, Postiga, Liedson
Yellow cards: Abel

Leixoes:
Beto, Vasco Fernandes, Joel, Elvis, Laranjeiro, Bruno China, Roberto Sousa, Hugo Morais, Diogo Valente (Ze Manel, 74), Braga (Sandro, 90), Wesley (Nwoko, 87)
Yellow Cards: Joel, Roberto Sousa

Goals:
[0-1] Roberto Sousa, 65