Liedson hits four for Sporting; Benfica go three points clear at table top
Lisbon duo warm up for Europe with convincing wins
 It was a memorable day for Portugal and Sporting striker Liedson, who hit all four goals as Sporting continued their resurgence with a 4-0 thumping of rock-bottom Belenenses at the Restelo.
Shortly afterwards Benfica put in another performance full of attacking verve at the Estadio da Luz. Ruben Amorim and Javier Saviola gave the Eagles an early two-goal lead, a spirited Pacos de Ferreira pulled a goal back through William, but Oscar Cardozo’s deflected shot ensured a home win.
Sporting 4-0 Belenenses
After a lukewarm first-half with few chances created by either side, Sporting produced an outstanding 45 minutes of attacking football to completely blitz a brittle Belenenses side surely destined for the drop.
The catalyst was substitute striker Saleiro, who came on for Yannick Djalo at the break. The young forward was on fire. He was directly involved in three of Liedson’s goals, hit the post and was also at the heart of a quite breathtaking move that ended with Moutinho scoring with a wonderful back-heel. Unfortunately the linesman, erroneously as it turned out, ruled out what would have been one of the goals of the season for an incorrect offside call.
It needed something special to rob Saleiro of the man-of-the-match award, and Liedson certainly produced that, proving that he is back to his best by hitting four goals in a match for the first time. Despite Sporting’s poor season and an injury stoppage mid-season, Liedson has now scored 17 goals in all competitions for the Lions in 2009/10, and another three for the Seleccao.
His best goal this afternoon involved a neat turn and powerful finish that flew inside Bruno Vale’s left hand post. Watch the goal by clicking on the screen below:
Sporting travel to Atletico Madrid on Thursday in good heart having won their last three matches in comprehensive fashion, scoring 10 goals and conceding none.
Goals:
[1-0] Liedson, 50
[2-0] Liedson, 60
[3-0] Liedson, 80
[4-0] Liedson, 88
Benfica 3-1 Pacos de Ferreira
Benfica took full advantage of Braga’s draw in Setubal yesterday to build a three-point cushion at the top of the table.
In front of another huge crowd at the Estadio da Luz Benfica seemed determined to close out the match as soon as possible. On 14 minutes Di Maria crossed for Cardozo to cushion the ball perfectly for Ruben Amorim to head into the net.
Just four minutes later Saviola scored a stunning second, latching onto a Di Maria throughball, dropping his shoulder to beat his marker brilliantly before unleashing an unstoppable shot inside the near post. Watch Saviola’s masterful strike:
Benfica continued to encircle Coelho’s goal with intent, but the young Pacos goalkeeper showed he is a player to look out for with a series of eye-catching saves. To their credit the visitors never ‘parked the bus’ and looked to break in numbers whenever possible. Just before the break they were rewarded as Maykon produced a peach of a cross that William headed into the net to halve the deficit.
But Benfica were soon on the charge again. Di Maria smashed a shot against the bar and it was no surprise when Oscar Cardozo scored a third goal to make the game safe. The Paraguayan striker’s shot took a huge deflection to leave Coelho stranded and push Cardozo back to the top of the Liga Sagres goal-scoring chart.
Jorge Jesus and his exciting team now turn their attentions to the Europa League as they prepare to welcome Marseille to Lisbon for a mouth-watering clash on Thursday.
Goals:
[1-0] Ruben Amorim, 12
[2-0] Saviola, 16
[2-1] William, 42
[3-1] Cardozo, 57
by Tom Kundert
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PLANET BRAGA
www.snowballjoyrider.wordpress.com
Thank you
You, and Jorge Jesus seem to suggest that the ref shouldn't have given the card out because now he could miss a match. Its almost as if they met before the match and agreed not to give, x,y, and z players a card. Jesus then gets upset because he gave it out.
Let's see if he can do the same against Atletico. Good luck!
watch this goal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V6CefHwEOs
thats why makukula needs to be in the seleccao. Hes big, aggressive, and he imposes his beastily force on any defender. Liedson is too SMALL to do this.
You know what's crazy though? If he had finished even better (and he really should've on at least one occasion) he could've had 5 or 6 goals today. No joke, watch the highlights on footytube.com
yes makukula.
Forca Sporting e Forca Levezinho.
Good way to head into vincente calderon.
Well I'm glad that Benfica got the win as well now I'm excited for the Marseille matchup this midweek.