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| Sunday, 22 May 2011 18:16 |
Relentless Porto destroy Guimaraes to lift Portuguese CupFC Porto 6-2 Vitoria Guimaraes As expected, FC Porto added the Portuguese Cup to the Super Cup, the Liga ZON Sagres and the Europa League to complete a 2010/11 season that will live long in the memory of everyone connected to the Estadio do Dragao.
The somewhat tepid nature of the Europa League final triumph over Braga in midweek had done little to dim the party among Porto fans in Dublin and beyond. But on a sunny Lisbon afternoon Andre Villas-Boas’ team produced a thrilling performance in keeping with displays that left a string of sides at home and abroad reeling throughout the season.
Vitoria Guimaraes deserve credit for their attacking approach, which led to a breathtaking first half. Twice Porto took the lead through Rodriguez and Varela, and twice the Minho outfit hit back, through an Alvaro Pereira own goal and an Edgar Silva header.
Breathless actionRolando put Porto back ahead on 36 minutes, but the game was effectively decided after another flurry of breathless action just before the break. Hulk and James Rodriguez, both of whom terrorised the Guimaraes defence all game, each scored and in between Porto goalkeeper Beto saved a poor Edgar Silva penalty.The second half was a far more sedate affair, with Porto slowing the pace but still looking the more likely team to add to the goal tally. James Rodriguez, looking every inch like fulfilling his huge promise, completed his hat-trick with a classy finish on 73 minutes after being beautifully set up by Hulk.
FC Porto win the Portuguese Cup for the third successive season – the first time they have achieved the feat in their history. Vitoria Guimaraes have now played five Portuguese Cup finals and have lost all five of them.
Andre Villas-Boas, FC Porto coach:“The key moment was Beto saving the penalty then us scoring to make it 5-2 immediately afterwards. It’s an amazing feeling. If we’d won the Europa League but lost here it would have taken the shine of the season.”
Manuel Machado, Vitoria Guimaraes coach:“We contributed to a great occasion with lots of joy, colour and good football. We attacked and created as much or maybe more than Porto, but the difference was every time Porto shot they scored, whereas Beto denied us on several occasions.”
by Tom Kundert
Goals:
[1-0] James Rodriguez, 3’
[1-1] Alvaro Pereira, 21’ (o.g.)
[2-1] Silvrestre Varela, 21’
[2-2] Edgar Silva, 23’
[3-2] Rolando, 36’
[4-2] Hulk, 43’
[5-2] James Rodriguez, 45’
[6-2] James Rodriguez, 73’
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I would like to see the Classico's better but with Porto maintaining there squad unless Benfica buys some of the best ever.. I still see them lopsided next year, especially when our Manager is a reatrded midget next to AVB.
Once again cheers for a great campaign.. although I didn't like getting thrashed.. it was a pleasure to watch players with the class of Falcao and Guarin perform their magic.
Cheers
Honestly, I think Hulk gets sold, but I guess I'm in the minority on that one... everyone else thinks we're keeping him for a CL run...
I believe Hulk gets sold because A) it makes financial sense, and B) you have J-Rod for next season and you also get the wonderkid Iturbe...
I can see J-Rod on one flank, Varela on the other, and hopefully Falcao stays one more year.
Who gets sold to make room upfront???
Check out my blog @ www.inforthehattrick.blogspot.com