Porto’s relentless charge towards the Primeira Liga title continued after a 3-0 victory against Gil Vicente.
Borja Sainz was the early protagonist at a cold, wet and windy evening at Estádio do Dragão, the Spaniard firing the first shot wide before scoring from an offside position.
Gil Vicente responded with opportunities falling for Luís Esteves, Santi García and Tidjany Touré, but Porto would soon exert their authority.
Samu’s shot was blocked by Zé Carlos and Gabri Veiga was denied by a last gasp challenge from Ghislain Konan. The resulting corner saw Murilo Souza drag Samu down at the back post, referee António Nobre awarding a penalty.
Redemption for Samu
Samu had missed spot kicks in back-to-back games but showed no hesitation in taking responsibility, stepping up and drilling the ball into the bottom corner.
Rodrigo Mora and William Gomes replaced Veiga and Sainz before Gil Vicente went close to equalising, Gustavo Varela’s powerful shot saved by Diogo Costa and Esteves’ free kick hitting the post.
Mohamed Bamba and Martín Fernández entered the fray for the visitors but Fernández lasted less than 60 seconds on the pitch. An attempt to latch onto a long ball went wrong, his high boot catching Tiago Silva in the chest which saw Nobre produce a straight red card.
Martim scores from range
Francesco Farioli’s side capitalised in the 75th when they put the result beyond doubt, Martim Fernandes trying his luck from distance and striking gold, his low drive skidding off the slick surface and settling in the net.
Gomes got in on the act in the 86th minute when he raced onto Pablo Rosario’s pass, winger leaving Jonathan Buatu on the ground before slotting the ball through Dani Figueira.
Diogo Costa preserved the clean sheet in trademark fashion late on, making himself big at the back post where he denied Sergio Bermejo from close range.
Porto went close to making it four in added time, Deniz Gül receiving a clever pass from Mora but unable to beat Figueira who came off his line.
