Sporting ended a five-game winless run with a 5-1 thrashing of Vitória at Alvalade tonight. After a series of listless, tired performances, it was the perfect tonic for coach Rui Borges, who signed an extended contract last week.
First-half goals by Gonçalo Inácio, man-of-the-match Daniel Bragança and Maxi Araújo put the hosts in charge at the break.
Luis Suárez and Luís Guilherme got in on the act in the second half as it threatened to get embarrassing for Vitória. A comical own goal by Zeno Debast gave the travelling fans a crumb of comfort. Tom Kundert reports from Alvalade.
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Wide open game
A bright start set the tone for an open game. Diogo Sousa and João Mendes tried their luck for Vitória from distance but it was Sporting who took the lead from a well-worked free kick routine in the 8th minute.
Pote’s diagonal delivery was swept across goal by Luis Suárez where captain Gonçalo Inácio was on hand to head in from close range.
Midway through the first half Sporting doubled their lead with a wonderful goal. Francisco Trincão, Suárez, and Hidemasa Morita played some lovely one-touch passing in the middle of the pitch with the Japanese midfielder assisting Daniel Bragança, who produced a deft finish over goalkeeper Charles Silva.
The chances kept coming, Bragança thwarted a great individual goal by Charles and Trincão missing the target when he had only the goalkeeper to beat.
At the other end of the pitch a terrific shot by Miguel Nogueira forced Rui Silva into a fine diving save.
On the stroke of half time Maxi Araújo finished brilliantly after being set up by a long Debast pass. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but after a VAR check the decision was reversed. Half time and Sporting cruising at 3-0.
No let-up from the hosts
Sporting continued to pile forward after the break and shortly after the hour the home fans were cheering again as a precise through ball by Pedro Gonçalves allowed Luis Suárez to score goal number four.
Eduardo Quaresma then fired a spectacular volley into the top corner on the turn, but it did not count due to an offside in the buildup.
A rampant Sporting would not be denied though, substitute Luís Guilherme finishing confidently after being released by Suárez.
Suárez seemed determined to consolidate his place at the top of the goal-scoring charts, the Colombian going close to scoring again on three occasions.
But it would be Vitória who scored the last goal of the night, albeit with a big help from Belgian defender Debast, who put far too much weight on a back-pass to Rui Silva with the ball ending up in the net.
Tense season climax in race for runners-up spot
Sporting draw level on points with Benfica in second place, but remain behind their Lisbon rivals on the head-to-head record. Whoever finishes second will have the opportunity to join Liga Portugal winners FC Porto in the Champions League next season.
To overtake the Eagles, Sporting must gain more points in their two remaining matches (Rio Ave away, Gil Vicente at home) than Benfica do in their two games (Braga at home and Estoril away).
