Porto made to work hard for Portuguese Cup triumph
FC Porto 2-1 Desportivo de Chaves
 As expected, overwhelming favourites FC Porto beat Desportivo de Chaves to win their 15th Portuguese Cup at a sun-drenched Jamor stadium this afternoon.
Two first-half goals from Guarin and Falcao put the Dragons in control. A late strike from Clemente ultimately proved in vain but was just reward for a brave effort from the lower league club.
There was nearly a sensational start to the match as Edu took advantage of a lapse from Porto goalkeeper Helton but saw his effort come back off the post.
Porto soon got into the groove and Colombian midfielder Guarin continued his fine end-of-season form by scoring his fifth goal in the last six matches of the campaign in the 13th minute.
Not long afterwards Hulk beat the offside trap and set up Falcao for an easy tap-in to double the lead and the Dragons could have scored more before the break as they completely dominated the northerners.
The second half was a different story as Porto took their foot of the pedal and an improved Chaves competed more fiercely, albeit without creating much in the way of chances. But a crass mistake by Bruno Alves allowed substitute Clemente to steal in for a goal five minutes from time to set up a nervy finish for Porto.
Ricardo Rocha and Bruno Alves both saw red for picking up a second yellow card in the final minutes, but no more goalscoring opportunities were created and Porto finish a disappointing season on a high.
Match reaction
“When FC Porto enter in a competition the aim is to win it. This is especially true of the Portuguese championship - we have to win it because we are the best team in Portugal and we’re going to show that next season,” said striker Hulk after the final whistle.
Meanwhile, several players showed their support for coach Jesualdo Ferreira, whose future as the head coach is still surrounded by doubt.
“If it was up to me I would keep him for next season. Someone who wins three national titles in four years is without doubt a great coach. And he is also a great person, who always gave me lots of help. I’m very grateful to him,” added Hulk.
Fucile echoed the sentiments of his team-mate saying “I want him to stay because he was very important for me. We won a lot of trophies together, we experienced good and bad times. I just hope for the best for him and for the club.”
Fellow right-back Miguel Lopes was of the same opinion, stating that Jesualdo Ferreira was “the best coach I’ve ever worked with.”
Goals:
[1-0] Guarin, 13
[2-0] Falcao, 23
[2-1] Clemente, 85
by Tom Kundert
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But,
Hulk, again, was awful in a big game. Yes a cup final is a big game, no matter who you play.
Great effort by Chaves, a club that is being relegated from Liga Vitalis.