After the early-season surprises, the top of the Liga NOS now has a more recognisable look to it, with the Big Three and Braga occupying four of the top five positions.
Braga were the team that impressed most in Week Three, thumping Boavista 4-0. Benfica left it late to take all three points against Moreirense in a five-goal thriller, while Porto and Sporting got the better of Estoril and Académica respectively.
Benfica 3-2 Moreirense
Moreirense arrived at the Estádio da Luz on Saturday night without a point and without a goal from their first two fixtures, but a well-disciplined first-half performance saw Miguel Leal's team go into the break leading 1-0 thanks to a Rafael Martins goal.
The visitors (for whom Ernest was outstanding) were well worth their advantage, with Benfica again showing no discernible game plan and several of their top players from last season misfiring, not least Luisão, who looked shaky in defence, and Jonas, who missed two gilt-edged chances you exepct him to tuck away with aplomb.
As against Estoril in Benfica's previous home game, the Eagles suddenly clicked in the final 25 minutes. Under increasing pressure, Moreirense finally buckled when substitute Raul Jiménez flashed a superb header on the run into the net from a perfect Gaitán cross. Fans were still celebrating the goal when Samaris rifled in a shot from the edge of the box that Stefanovic was unable to keep out.
Moreirense then stunned the home supporters by equalising through Cardozo, the officials failing to notice he was offside, but Jonas saved the day and earned all three points for Benfica with a terrific first-time volley, atoning for his earlier misses. Once again, the peerless Nico Gaitán was the provider.
FC Porto 2-0 Estoril
Porto bounced back to winning ways after their draw in Madeira last week. The Dragons got off to a perfect start, Aboubakar notching his third goal of the season as he was the benefactor of some brilliant wing play by Brahimi.
As against Benfica, Estoril showed they were not overawed by the big stage, and caused several problems for Porto's defence, albeit without creating much in the way of clear opportunities. Maicon made the points safe for the hosts with a superb goal direct from a free kick.
Académica 1-3 Sporting
Despite their midweek exertions and disappointment in the Champions League, Sporting had little trouble brushing aside troubled Académica. Carlos Mané and Islam Slimani put the visitors 2-0 up by the 24th minute, and it seemed more goals would follow for the Lions.
But Académica were then awarded a contested penalty that Rabiola smashed past Patrício to reduce the deficit. There was no way back for Académica however, with Aquilani scoring from the penalty spot to make the points safe for Sporting, who even had the luxury of missing an earlier penalty, the normally reliable Adrien hitting the post.
Braga 4-0 Boavista
In a lively game of chances galore, Braga thrashed Boavista thanks to the fact they took most of their opportunities while Boavista spurned all of theirs.
Impressive Braga midfielder Nikola Vukcevic got the ball rolling with a thumping finish from a follow-up into the top corner in the 16th minute. The Montenegrin was in the right place again early in the 2nd half to score a header and double Braga's lead, and further goals from Crislan and Alan (penalty) rounded off a satisfactory afternoon for Paulo Fonseca's side.
Other results:
Paços de Ferreira 1-1 Arouca
Tondela 1-0 Nacional
Vitória de Setúbal 2-2 Rio Ave
Monday matches
Belenenses-Marítimo
União da Madeira-Vitória Guimarães
