Sporting fell to their second shock defeat in five days at Alvalade, this time to Académico de Viseu, with white handkerchiefs waved at coach Rui Borges at the full-time whistle by the angry home fans.
João Guilherme scored in each half, with Luis Suárez’s equaliser proving just a consolation. Sporting can point to bad luck, twice hitting the post, but the Lions did not do enough against the outfit from Viseu.
The large travelling contingent of away supporters celebrated loudly after another brilliant result away from home, making it 3 wins and 2 draws on their travels for the newly promoted team.
Académico took the lead in the 24th minute through a lethal counter-attack. Robinho sped down the right flank and sent over an inviting low cross which João Guilherme smashed into the net with his left foot on the run from a tight angle.
Five minutes later the visitors had the ball in the net again, but Kahraman’s terrific finish from the edge of the box was ruled out because of an incorrect throw-in at the start of the move.
Sporting were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half time when Ewerton clattered into Maxi Araújo, but after review on the pitch-side monitor the referee declared the goalkeeper had played the ball.
Both teams had chances after the break, but it was Sporting who grabbed the equaliser, Luis Suárez scoring for the tenth match running for his club side, smartly dispatching a low Fresneda cross into the net.
Académico never abdicated their positive approach and retook the lead when Guilherme scored his second, again shooting first-time at the far post, from a Messeguem cross.
Sporting poured forward in search of a second equaliser and both Maxi Araújo and Suárez saw efforts come back off the post, while Ewerton also produced a superb save from Araújo, while at the other end of the pitch Clóvis missed a great chance to score a third when clean through.
Tough times for Sporting coach Rui Borges, whose position will surely come under serious scrutiny from the board of the Lisbon club.
