Unloved Mariano pushes Porto to narrow victory
FC Porto 3-2 Academica
 FC Porto clocked up their sixth successive victory in all competitions tonight, but were made to work hard by a well-organised Academica team. After a goalless first half at the Estadio do Dragao, two goals from substitute Farias (pictured) and another from Mariano edged out the Students, who scored through Miguel Pedro and Sougou.
Mariano Gonzalez is a player who is very definitely not a darling of the demanding Porto crowd. Coach Jesualdo Ferreira has kept faith with the player, despite him being subject to constant booing from a large section of the Porto fans over recent weeks.
The catcalls for Mariano have been much discussed in recent days, with pundits and ex players linked to the Dragons criticising fans for abusing one of their own players rather than encouraging him. The appeals fell on deaf ears it seems, especially in a poor first half from the hosts.
Supersub Farias
Academica had 6 shots on goals in the first 45 minutes, compared to just 3 from Porto. But things got better for the champions after the break, with the introduction of Farias for Rodriguez proving the trigger to kick-start the exhibition.
That man Mariano, oblivious to the boo-boys, opened the scoring shortly after the hour mark when he followed up on a half-cleared corner. Three minutes later the Argentine midfielder set up Farias with a peach of the cross and the striker made no mistake.
Miguel Pedro brought Academica back into the match in the 76th minute, only for Farias to restore Porto’s two-goal cushion five minutes later, albeit from what clearly looked like an offside position.
In the closing seconds Sougou again reduced the deficit to one goal but Porto held on to cut the gap to leaders Braga to just three points.
Impressive debut
On his debut in the Liga Sagres, new Academica coach Andre Villas Boas will be pleased with the extremely tight organisation and spirited attitude shown by his charges throughout. His opposite number, Ferreira, will be more pleased with the result than the performance.
by Tom Kundert
FC Porto:
Helton, Fucile (Sapunaru, 4), Rolando, Bruno Alves, Alvaro Pereira, Raul Meireles (Guarin, 68), Fernando, Rodriguez (Farias, 57), Mariano, Falcao, Hulk
Academica:
Rui Nereu, Pedrinho, Berger, Orlando, Emidio Rafael, Nuno Coelho (Eder, 70), Cris, Tiero (Diogo Gomes, 83), Sougou, Joao Ribeiro, Lito (Miguel Pedro, 66)
Goals:
[1-0] Mariano Gonzalez, 64
[2-0] Farias, 67
[2-1] Miguel Pedro, 75
[3-1] Farias, 81
[3-2] Sougou, 91
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Your quick to call out that Porto's third goal was clearly offsides; but you don't note that Academica's second goal was clearly controlled by the Academica player with his arm.
http://videos.sportmultimedia.pt/ojogo/video.php?id=507973