Sporting 1-1 FC Porto
The second clássico of the season was a typically feisty and action-packed affair. Sporting had the perfect start, taking the lead in the 2nd minute through Jonathan Silva, and after dominating the half the hosts could consider themselves unlucky to go into the break just one goal to the good.
It was a different story in the second half, with Porto the superior side. A Naby Sarr own goal brought the scores level, and Sporting were indebted to Rui Patrício for two outstanding saves, although at the other end of the pitch Diego Capel sent an exocet of a volley crashing onto the underside of the bar.
Sporting coach Marco Silva recalled André Carrillo to the starting XI in place of Capel, in what was an otherwise unchanged line-up to last week's 4-0 thrashing of Gil Vicente, João Mário therefore retaining his spot in central midfield ahead of André Martins.
Porto were without the suspended Maicon, Marcano deputising, while coach Julen Lopetegui also gave Ricardo Quaresma a start at his old stamping ground.
Dream start for Sporting
The majority of the big crowd at the Alvalade were in full voice after less than two minutes as Sporting took an early lead. The confident Nani drove through the centre of Porto's midfield, cleverly lifting a diagonal chip into the box. The ball fell to Carrillo who nipped in front of Porto goalkeeper Fabiano and crossed for Jonathan Silva to become the unlikely scorer of the game's opening goal.
The goal galvanised Sporting and left Porto shell-shocked. The Lions poured forward for the rest of the half, Carrillo and Nani causing havoc with their speed and dribbling ability down the flanks and João Mário again putting in a wonderfully composed display laden with classy touches and incisive passes. Mário forced Fabiano into an excellent diving save, then should have done better with a close-range header in front of goal that he put wide after a pinpoint Carrillo cross.
An outstanding dribble and low cross by Carrillo found Nani in the middle of the box, and the Manchester United loanee will be disappointed he did not score as he shot firmly but straight at Fabiano.
Porto were simply not at the races, a tame Jackson header over the bar, then another looping header which the Colombian netted but from a clearly offside position the sum total of their attacking efforts.
Double switch changes game
Julen Lopetegui brought on Tello and Oliver for Quaresma and Ruben Neves in the second half and the changes transformed the game. Tello immediately served notice of his intent, skinning Cédric and causing panic in the Sporting box, but it was the diminutive Oliver who wrested control of the match Porto's way, his simple and accurate passing and excellent movement allowing the Dragons to gain control of midfield.
Porto missed a golden chance to equalise right after the break as Jackson raced through on goal all alone, but Patrício stood tall and saved the day for Sporting. Porto were now carving up Sporting as the hosts wobbled alarmingly for a 15-minute spell, and it was little surprise when the equaliser came, Naby Sarr only succeeding in putting through his own net as he tried to cut out a Danilo cross.
Porto then suffered a setback as Casemiro hurt his ankle and had to go off and the change halted the visitors' momentum. Nevertheless, Porto continued to play the more composed football in the second half, with Patrício pulling off an outstanding save to deny Herrera who had cleverly made room for himself and curled what looked like a goal-bound shot from 20 yards.
Sporting were not out of it, and substitute Diego Capel was desperately unlucky not to score, his thunderous volley from the edge of the box spectacularly crashing off the underside of the bar and out.
Late chances for Porto
Right at the death Porto had two more chances to snatch the three points, a Jackson backheel that appeared to be kept out by Maurício's arm, and a late run by Tello who danced round Jonathan Silva but scuffed his shot wide with just Patrício to beat.
A highly entertaining night ended with a fair result, although with both clubs drawing far more games than they would like to in the early rounds of the Liga, it is title rivals Benfica who will probably be happiest at the outcome.
by Tom Kundert at the Alvalade
Sporting:
Rui Patrício, Cédric, Maurício, Sarr, Jonathan, William Carvalho, João Mário, Adrien (Carlos Mané, 77’), Carrillo (Capel, 63’), Slimani (Montero, 77’), Nani
FC Porto:
Fabiano, Danilo, Marcano, Martins Indi, Alex Sandro, Rúben Neves (Óliver Torres, 46’), Casemiro (Reyes, 60’), Herrera, Ricardo Quaresma (Tello, 46’), Jackson Martínez, Brahimi
Goals:
[1-0] Jonathan Silva, 2'
[1-1] Nabby Sarr (own goal), 57'
