Silvestre Varela and Falcao scored a brace apiece but the star of the show was left-back Alvaro Pereira who won a penalty for the opener and set up both Falcao goals.
Even with several key players out due to suspension (Bruno Alves, Raul Meireles and Hulk), and on the back of a string of indifferent displays, Porto had little difficulty in overcoming Nacional da Madeira.
After Edgar Silva had come close to open the scoring and had had a penalty appeal turned down early on for the islanders, the visitors took control of proceedings and gradually wound up the pressure on a Nacional team visibly lacking in confidence.
On the half hour mark the hosts suffered a double blow to set the national champions well on the way to victory. Debutant defender Alex Bruno and Porto’s attack-minded full-back Alvaro Pereira clashed inside the box, with the referee immediately pointing to the spot and sending off Bruno, who was already on a yellow card.
Promising Micael debut
Silvestre Varela duly converted the penalty and Porto never looked back. The lead was doubled on the stroke of half time through a finely worked goal. Ruben Micael, looking good on his Liga Sagres debut, ironically against his former club, did well to pick out the marauding Pereira. The Uruguayan sent over a peach of a cross to Falcao who headed emphatically into the net.
More goals followed naturally in the second half, with the irrepressible Pereira crossing low for Falcao to notch his 17th goal in all competitions, and Varela rounding things off five minutes from time after being played in by a masterful Micael pass.
The only disappointment for Porto was an injury picked up by Cristian Rodriguez in the first half which appears likely to keep the attacking midfielder out of action for several weeks.
Nacional:
Bracali, Patacas, Felipe Lopes, Alex Bruno, Nuno Pinto, Luis Alberto, Cleber, Pecnik (Edgar Costa, 41), Leandro Salino, Joao Aurelio (Anselmo, 55), Edgar Silva (Diego Barcelos, 51)
Yellow Cards: Alex Bruno, Nuno Pinto, Luis Alberto, Patacas
Red Card: Alex Bruno
FC Porto:
Helton, Fucile, Rolando, Maicon, Alvaro Pereira, Belluschi, Fernando (Tomas Costa, 71), Ruben Micael, Varela, Falcao (Orlando Sa, 77), Rodriguez (Mariano, 19)
Yellow Cards: Mariano, Fernando
Goals:
[0-1] Varela, 30 (pen.)
[0-2] Falcao, 44
[0-3] Falcao, 61
[0-4] Varela, 85
FC Porto stayed in touch with Liga Sagres leaders Braga thanks to a convincing 4-0 win in Madeira against Nacional this afternoon. 
I hope he demonstrates his skills in the champions league and becomes an elite player. He may not be the next rui costa, but any thing is possible. If he plays well this season especially in the champions league I think there is a good chance that he will be sold to an elite european team.