Benfica go clear at table top, Porto held by Boavista, Sporting hit form

Benfica go clear at table top, Porto held by Boavista, Sporting hit form

Liga round-up

After five rounds of the Primeira Liga Benfica are two points clear at the table summit. The Eagles were losing for much of their match at home to Moreirense but came back to win 3-1.

Lisbon neighbours Sporting hit form, thrashing Gil Vicente 4-0 away, while the surprise of the weekend occurred at the Estádio do Dragão as Boavista held ten-man FC Porto to a goalless draw in the Invicta derby.

 

 

Benfica 3-1 Moreirense

The Portuguese champions stated the match apparently still suffering the after-effects of the disappointing Champions League defeat against Zenit in midweek, and Moreirense were deserving of their half-time lead through José Pedro's early goal. The hosts improved dramatically after the break and applied intense pressure, especially after Moreirense centre-back Marcelo had been sent off just before the hour mark.

But it needed an outstanding 30-yard strike from Eliseu to force an equaliser, with just 20 minutes remaining. Benfica's other full-back Maxi Pereira then put the home team in the lead, and Lima completed the scoring from the penalty spot after he had duped the referee with a tumble in the box.

Jesus admitted that his side were below par in the opening 45 minutes, but said, "we played like champions in the second half."

 

Gil Vicente 0-4 Sporting

In Barcelos it was a case of just what the doctor ordered for under-pressure Marco Silva and his Sporting side. The young coach gave midfielder João Mário a start in place of André Martins, and selected Capel over Carrillo, with Jonathan Silva making his debut for the Lions, deputising for the suspended Jefferson.

Sporting began the match in perfect fashion, with Adrien and Nani both scoring early with tremendous strikes from 20 yards out. Slimani scored the third in the second half, slotting home when put clean through by João Mário, after he had missed a similar chance in the first half again set up by Mário. A perfect counter-attacking goal completed the rout, João Mário and Nani combining beautifully to set up substitute Carrillo.

The performance will act as a significant confidence booster for Sporting ahead of next Friday's Liga encounter against Porto at the Alvalade.

 

FC Porto 0-0 Boavista

Boavista followed up their first win of the season last weekend with a shock draw against city rivals Porto at the Dragão. The match was in doubt and delayed for 45 minutes because of torrential rain.

When it eventually got going, Porto completely dominated as expected, albeit without creating too much in the way of chances, and the hosts suffered a setback on 24 minutes when Maicon went flying into a wild tackle and was shown a straight red card.

The sending-off did not change the pattern of the match, although Porto's domination was not so obvious, with the visitors (very) occasionally venturing forward. However, the Dragons ultimately paid for a lack of a cutting edge, which along with an excellent display from Boavista goalkeeper Mika, frustrated the home supporters and led to Porto's second successive draw in the Liga.

 

Wrap

Belenenses continue to show they are a different proposition from last year, Miguel Rosa scoring the only goal of the game against Marítimo at the Restelo to propel the Azuis up to 5th place in the standings. Early pace-setters Rio Ave fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Arouca, but remain in fourth place in the table.

Vitória Guimarães missed the chance to go joint top with Benfica as they drew 1-1 at home to local rivals Paços de Ferreira, despite playing with an extra man for most of the second half. Braga remain in mid-table after drawing 1-1 at Nacional da Madeira.

Penafiel's decision to change their coach paid immediate dividends, as the new man in the dugout Rui Quinta saw his side beat Vitória Setúbal 2-0 after having lost their first four games.

The weekend programme comes to an end tomorrow with Académica hosting Estoril.