Benfica cut the gap to the leading duo to just two points after taking advantage of dropped points by FC Porto and Sporting this weekend.
Porto took the lead twice but were pegged back twice at Moreirense, as the match ended 2-2, while Sporting could not break down a well-organised and resolute Boavista in a goalless draw.
The Eagles continued their fine home form with a 3-0 victory over Paços de Ferreira at the Estádio da Luz.
Benfica 3-0 Paços de Ferreira
The Lisbon giants continued their impressive home form in front of a 45,000 crowd in the Portuguese capital, clocking up a fourth straight victory in their home stadium in which they have scored 16 goals. Almost half those goals (seven) have been scored by the irrepressible Jonas, who put in another masterclass of incisive and intelligent forward play.
Paços came with an attacking attitude which made for an entertaining contest, with Diogo Jota and Roniel causing Benfica problems in the first half. The deadlock was broken, however, by a piece of genius from man-of-the-moment Jonas. Picking up the ball 25 yards out with no apparent solutions on, the striker produced a stunning left-footed strike that rose high into the air and dropped sharply to crash into the net off the underside of the bar.
Following an evenly contested first half, the hosts exerted greater control after the break. It was a match that 18-year-old Gonçalo Guedes will not forget in a hurry. Coach Rui Vitória has kept faith in the right midfielder, who has made promising strides this season, and the teenager notched his first goal in senior football after being set up by Gaitán.
It got even better for Guedes soon afterwards as he controlled a looping cross and showed great awareness to lay on a perfect assist for Jonas to score his second and Benfica's third. The performance was a positive response to last week's defeat in the clássico and will restore confidence ahead of the Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Moreirense 2-2 FC Porto
Moreirense had accumulated a single point and just two goals in their previous five Liga matches before hosting leaders FC Porto, so an away win was very much the expected result in the match that kicked off Round Six on Friday night.
But Porto paid a heavy price for slacking off twice after taking the lead. Maicon's superbly executed free kick gave the Dragons an early lead, but the visitors did not do much to try and amplify their advantage. A neat Osvaldo turn and shot apart, which was well saved by Moreirense goalkeeper Stefanovic, the home side were largely untroubled.
Porto were stung into action again when Iuri Medeiros, on loan from Sporting, played a neat one-two with Ramon Cardozo and slotted a fine equaliser past Casillas. The goal got the Dragons going again as they produced their best period of the match, aided by some rare attacking substitutions by Lopetegui, who broke with habit and played with two strikers - Aboubakar coming on for centre-back Marcano.
Porto's heavy pressure told when Corona showed fine footwork to dribble past his marker and shoot home, and only some excellent goalkeeping by Stefanovic and some wayward finishing prevented Osvaldo and Corona from putting the match to bed.
Moreirense pressed hard for an equaliser late on and were rewarded in the dying minutes as André Fontes got his head onto a fine cross to score from close range. Porto know they will have to play with greater intensity throughout the 90 minutes if they are to prosper against Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Boavista 0-0 Sporting
Sporting went into the match knowing victory would put them clear at the top of the table, while Boavista look to continue to consolidate their status as a top-flight club after last year's return.
It resulted in a hard-fought match of maximum commitment but few chances. Boavista had the first opportunity as Zé Manel headed wide from a corner when well positioned to do better, but that proved to be Boavista's only clear sight of goal all game.
Slimani had the ball in the net on the 30-minute mark, but the referee ruled out the goal for an alleged push by the Algerian. Gelson Martins, as has been the case in recent matches, was Sporting's most dangerous player, his trickery and speed asking plenty of questions of Boavista's defence, but the hosts held firm without undo alarm.
Gelson set up a great chance for substitute Téo Gutiérrez after the break, but the Colombian sliced his effort high and wide with only Mika to beat. The Lions ultimately paid for failing to create enough and had to settle for retaining joint leadership of the table.
Sunday round-up
Sunday's set of fixtures saw both Estoril and Braga with a chance to draw level on points with Benfica in joint third place in the table. Neither team missed the opportunity, beating União da Madeira and Vitória Guimarães respectively, meaning the top five teams in the Liga NOS are separated by just two points.
Estoril's strong start to the season is especially surprising. The Canarinhos have won 4 or their 6 games, and even in their two defeats - away at Benfica and Porto - the side impressed. 21-year-old Brazilian striker Leo Bonatini notched his 4th goal of the season and looks a real find. Bruno César scored Estoril's second and a late Edder Farias goal proved merely a consolation for União.
Braga travelled to their close neighbours Vitória for what was a typically hotly disputed Minho derby. The hosts were much improved under new coach Sérgio Conceição, but Braga grabbed all three points thanks to an excellent breakaway goal by Portugal international Rafa - his third goal in the last three matches.
Belenenses let a two goal lead (André Sousa & Luís Leal) slip at Arouca. Nuno Valente gave the home team hope, and the equaliser came in the 86th minute courtesy of a quite stupendous 40-yard thunderbolt from Hugo Basto.
The points were also shared at the Choupana as Nacional and Vitória Setúbal drew 1-1, Suk scoring again for the Sadinos and Rui Correia equalising for the islanders.
The other Madeira team, Marítimo, picked up three points thanks to a single-goal victory over Tondela despite playing with only 10 men for the last 33 minutes. Marega scored in the 90th minute.
by Tom Kundert
