Sporting 1-1 Benfica
It had been, until the last 10 minutes, a game to forget for anyone watching the Lisbon derby. Jefferson looked to have deservedly won the match for Sporting with a clever finish just three minutes from time after Artur could only parry João Mario's shot.
However defender Jardel came to the rescue for the Eagles with their first chance of note in the entire game to give Jorge Jesus' team a hugely important point in their title challenge.
Benfica went to the Alvalade knowing a draw would be a more than acceptable result, knowing it would almost certainly turn the league into a two-horse race. Jorge Jesus was without Nicolás Gaitán, and André Almeida started ahead of the Brazilian Talisca perhaps showing Jesus would be comfortable taking a point from the match.
For Marco Silva, striker Islam Sliamni picked up an injury during his African Cup of Nations campaign meaning Fredy Montero started up front.
The game began as expected from Portuguese derbies, fiercely competitive, with not too many chances but enthralling nonetheless. Sporting set out to put pressure on Benfica's defence, with Eliseu being targeted in particular. Benfica looked to go wide whenever they ventured forward with Eduardo Salvio and Ola John threatening early on.
Despite the big build up, Benfica soaked up Sporting's pressure and possession and rarely looked threatened without venturing forward frequently themselves, and the first half finished without any chances of note. André Almeida certainly justified his selection with a few key interceptions particularly from Nani's cross after he dispossessed Maxi Pereira high up the pitch.
There were no great improvements to the action after the break despite the atmosphere in the Alvalade remaining as electric as it was from the first whistle.
Jorge Jesus tried to add more creativity to his side bringing on Talisca for Ola John in the 64th minute but 71 minutes had been played before we saw the first big chance of the game. Jefferson's cross from the left hand side found André Carrillo who did well to get ahead of Eliseu and head towards goal. Artur though made a solid save to deny the Peruvian.
Marco Silva made his first change with 12 minutes to go, the lively Carrillo replaced by Carlos Mané as Sporting looked to get the goal that would help open up the Liga race.
A notable feat occurred in the 80th minute when Benfica won their first corner of the game. Sporting had previously had 10 corners themselves but all were dealt with competently by the Benfica defence. Artur certainly looked a different goalkeeper to the one seen in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Jefferson scores late on
Sporting, who had been marginally the better of the two teams throughout the game, finally made the breakthrough the game had been crying out for. João Mario was fed through on goal but his shot was well saved by Artur. Jefferson however did incredibly well to finish on the rebound from an awkward angle.
Jardel grabs an invaluable point
It looked like Sporting were going to open the league title up but in dramatic circumstances Jardel came to the rescue for Jorge Jesus. The visitors were throwing everything towards the Sporting box and it was a scruffy goal but Jardel's powerful finish means he effectively ends Sporting's title challenge. It had been Benfica's first real chance of the game.
Despite that, Porto will perhaps be the happiest with the result. Their win over Moreirense means they have cut the gap to four points, and with Sporting now 7 points behind the league leaders, it seems a little bit too much for Marco Silva's side to make up in the final 14 games.
by Richard Cole
Sporting: Rui Patricio; Cédric Soares, Tobias Figueiredo, Paulo Oliveira, Jefferson; William Carvalho, Adrien Silva, João Mario; André Carrillo (Carlos Mané, 78'), Nani (Diego Capel, 90+2'), Fredy Montero (Junya Tanaka, 90')
Benfica: Artur; Maxi Pereira, Luisão, Jardel, Eliseu; André Almeida (Pizzi, 89'), Andreas Samaris (Derley, 90+2), Eduardo Salvio, Ola John (Talisca, 64'); Jonas, Lima
Goals:
[1-0] Jefferson, 87'
[1-1] Jardel, 90+3'
