One week before they face each other in the first Portuguese Clássico of the season both Benfica and FC Porto put in their most impressive performances of the new campaign.
Benfica crushed the previously unbeaten Belenenses 6-0 at the Estádio da Luz with striker Jonas celebrating his contract extension with an outstanding display. Porto followed suit with an excellent 3-1 away victory at high-flying Arouca, new signing Jesús Corona enjoying a dream debut by notching a brace.
Sporting are joint top after a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Rio Ave. Elsewhere it was a good weekend for the Madeira clubs, Marítimo and Nacional clocking up home wins and União picking up a useful point at Moreirense.
Benfica 6-0 Belenenses
Given that Benfica's summer involved bedding in a new coach, a lack of definition regarding the make-up of the squad and an ill-advised tour of North and Central America, some suggested the recent international break had served as Benfica's true pre-season. If so, Rui Vitória certainly worked his players well.
The Eagles put in a scintillating attacking display from start to finish, answering their critics in style. Jonas was back to his very best, scoring two and setting up two of the goals and the Brazilian combined well with Mitroglou throughout. Nico Gaitán continued his splendid form, scoring his first goal of the season and generally causing mayhem for the Belenenses defence whenever the ball came to his feet.
The cherry on the cake for Benfica was a return to goalscoring ways for midfielder Talisca, his thunderous long-range effort to score number six reminiscent of his goals at the start of last season. It was the perfect confidence booster for Benfica ahead of their Champions League bow at home to Astana on Tuesday, while conversely Sá Pinto will have to pick up his troops ahead of their Europa League trip to Lech Poznan, Poland, on Thursday.
Arouca 1-3 FC Porto
At the start of the season few would have predicted this match would be a top-of-the-table clash in the 4th round of the Liga NOS. However, Arouca never seriously troubled Porto who swept to victory with a commanding display.
Porto coach Julen Lopetegui started Danilo on the bench after his international exertions with the Seleção, giving both Rúben Neves and André André their first starts in the league. Both responded well, especially André whose energetic, intelligent and incisive performance will surely make him difficult to drop.
Mexican pair Jesús Corona and Miguel Layún both made their debuts, the former making it a memorable night on a personal level by scoring the first two goals. The third was scored by the impressive Aboubakar after being brilliantly set up by a perfect Neves/André combination. Maurides, the brother of Porto centre-back Maicon, pulled one back for Arouca but it was too little too late for Lito Vidigal's side.
Rio Ave 1-2 Sporting
The pressure was on Sporting in what is always a difficult venue to play at after both Benfica and Porto had won their games earlier in the weekend.
The Lions were well short of the dynamic displays they had shown in previous matches, but 100% finishing ability saw the visitors somewhat fortuitously 2-0 up at half time thanks to an Adrien penalty and a Slimani header - Sporting's only two efforts on goal in the first half.
Rio Ave pulled one back in the 69th minute through Yazalde, but Jorge Jesus's men held on for the three points and are joint top of the table (alongside Porto) with 10 points from four games, three of which have been away from home.
Other results
Estoril 1-0 Braga
Marítimo 5-2 Vitória Setúbal
Moreirense 0-0 União da Madeira
Nacional 2-0 Académica
Vitória Guimarães 1-0 Tondela
Monday night match: Boavista v Paços de Ferreira
by Tom Kundert
