Benfica & Porto clock up comfortable wins
Sandwiched between European commitments and the upcoming Seleção matches, all of Portugal's Big Three were in action this Sunday - a rare occurrence in the Liga NOS.
Benfica and FC Porto put in dominant displays to beat Boavista and Vitória Setúbal respectively, both with 2-0 wins at home. Gonçalo Guedes and Carcela scored for Benfica, while for the Dragons Aboubakar and Miguel Layún were on the mark.
Later in the night, for a long time it looked like Sporting would have their lead cut at the top of the table as a well-organised Arouca side kept the Lions at bay. But after Arouca had seen a loud penalty shout turned down and Sporting had been reduced to ten men, Algerian striker Slimani scored a 90th-minute winner to give Jorge Jesus's team all three points.
Benfica 2-0 Boavista
Rui Vitória's side completed a highly satisfactory week, following up their Champions League exploits with a thoroughly deserved victory over Boavista at the Estádio da Luz.
Benfica's rising star Gonçalo Guedes opened the scoring shortly before half time, finishing with a well-placed shot from the top of the box after being neatly set up by Nico Gaitán. It has been a dream start to the season for the 18-year-old, who has made himself a regular in Benfica's first team, netted the winner in the memorable win at Atlético Madrid, has now scored three goals in his last four Liga outings, and on Friday was called up to the full Portugal squad for the first time.
The hosts turned up the pressure in the second half, hitting the woodwork no fewer than four times before substitute Carcela scored the second shortly before the final whistle, following up a Jardel header that had rattled the bar.
FC Porto 2-0 Vitória Setúbal
When left-back Alex Sandro was sold shortly before the start of the season, and Porto hastily brought in former player Aly Cissokho, who had a forgettable match against Marítimo, it appeared the Dragons had a big problem on their hands. The problem was solved in the best possible way with the recruitment of Miguel Layún, the Mexican full-back increasingly becoming one of Porto's most important players.
Porto dominated the game against Vitória for the most part, especially after the break, and the only surprise was that it took Julen Lopetegui's men until the 70th minute to translate their ascendency into a lead. Layún crossed perfectly for Aboubakar to head in - a combination that has resulted in several goals this season.
Not satisfied with that, the player on loan from Watford then scored a carbon copy of his terrific goal on Wednesday in the Champions League against Maccabi Tel Aviv, hitting a clean strike from 20 yards into the corner of the net.
Porto remain five points behind Sporting, but with a game in hand.
Arouca 0-1 Sporting
Sporting rode their luck against a tough Arouca side that had only lost to Porto this season in the league, and the table toppers will be hugely relieved to get all three points from a hard-fought match.
In a game of few chances, Paulo Oliveira and Adrien came close for Sporting just before half time, while Ivo Rodrigues was inches away from giving the hosts the lead in the 64th minute. Sporting applied plenty of pressure but rarely looked like making the breakthrough, and Arouca were furious they were not awarded a penalty in the 86th minute when Naldo slipped and upended Adilson in the box.
Two minutes later the Sporting centre-back was sent off as he tussled with Arouca coach Lito Vidigal who had come onto the pitch to protest with the referee.
The match seemed to be heading for a goalless draw, but Sporting substitute Montero did well to control a long Bryan Ruiz ball, his shot hit a defender and rolled into the path of Slimani, who poked it into the net for a dramatic late winner.
"Only a very competitive team with fight, soul and determination, even it not playing as technically well as it can, could win this game," said Sporting coach Jorge Jesus after the match.
Other results
Estoril 1-1 Académica
Marítimo 3-2 Rio Ave
Moreirense 2-0 Paços de Ferreira
Monday night games
Belenenses-Tondela
União da Madeira-Braga
by Tom Kundert
