A Jonas-inspired Benfica put their recent poor form and rampant speculation regarding the future of Rui Vitória behind them with a convincing 4-0 victory over Feirense at the Estádio da Luz. Also on Saturday evening Braga showed they have no intention of dropping out the title race as they saw off Moreirense 2-0 at the Quarry.
On Sunday it was Porto’s turn to enter into action, and the Dragons kept up their winning habit, but only just. A strike from Hernâni deep in stoppage time snatched all three points at the Bessa against City rivals Boavista. On Monday night Sporting travelled to Rio Ave and continued their excellent form under new coach Marcel Keizer, clocking up a 3-1 win against the high-flying Vila do Conde side. PortuGOAL brings you the top weekend action and video highlights.
Benfica 4-0 Feirense
After the heavy defeat in Germany against Bayern Munich and the subsequent admission from president Luís Filipe Vieira that he had considered sacking coach Rui Vitória before having a change of heart, the much-maligned manager was looking for a strong reaction from his players. It was not forthcoming in the first half, when only a Pizzi free kick threatened to break the deadlock, well saved by Caio Secco.
It was a different story in the second half though, as Jonas showed marvellous technique and a killer instinct to cleverly feint past his marker and crash an angled shot into the net in the 47th minute. The Brazilian striker’s wild celebrations upon jumping into the midst of the home supporters showed how much pent-up tension had been released.
[To watch match highlights, click on the screen below]
The goal acted as a panacea for Benfica’s woes, as the match was transformed with Jonas and Rafa in particular ripping into the visitors’ defence with devastating effect. Jonas had a goal disallowed for offside but it was 2-0 before the hour mark when Nascimento scored in his own net in a desperate attempt to prevent Jonas from netting.
The electric Jonas then turned provider, allowing Rafa to get a well-deserved goal, and substitute Seferovic put the icing on the cake with a fourth late on.
Braga 2-0 Moreirense
Shortly after the full-time whistle sounded at the Luz, Braga went into their match intent on reclaiming second place in the table. However, it was Moreirense who were first to threaten, Arsénio rolling a 15-yard shot just past the post.
But two quick-fire goals put the Arsenalistas in firm control. First Wilson Eduardo converted from the spot in the 12th minute after Aberhoun handled in the box, and with the home team pouring forward a second goal was inevitable.
[To watch match highlights, click on the screen below]
It duly arrived in spectacular fashion with Paulinho thrashing a magnificent left-footed volley on the run into the top corner to double the home team’s lead in the 25th minute.
Moreirense were not done, however, with Braga goalkeeper Tiago Sá doing well to keep out efforts from Nene and Heriberto either side of half time, while at the other end of the pitch Jhonatan made a superb instinctive save to deny Wilson Eduardo as Braga saw out the victory comfortably.
Boavista 0-1 FC Porto
League leaders Porto came into the match brimming with confidence on the back of a 9-match winning run, but were given an almighty scare as regards extending the sequence by a combative Boavista in a typically feisty derby between the two city rivals.
There was no quarter given with tackles flying in throughout the 90 minutes, and the referee at times struggling to keep a lid on the aggression. The hosts did a reasonable job at limiting opportunities for Porto in the first half, Otávio and Brahimi firing efforts narrowly wide, before the Algerian was denied by a point-blank save from Boavista number one Helton Leite on the stroke of half time
[To watch match highlights, click on the screen below]
The Brazilian goalkeeper was again in evidence early in the second half as he did well to save from Marega, Felipe headed a good chance over, and when Tiquinho Soares finally had the ball in the net it was ruled out for offside. Héctor Herrera missed a glaring chance for Porto, and it began to look like it would not be the Dragons’ night.
At the other end of the pitch the best Boavista could muster was a strong penalty shot as Rochinha appeared to be tripped by Brahimi in the area, but the referee waved away protests from the home players and a goalless draw seemed inevitable. However, Porto grabbed all three points in the last minute of stoppage time with substitutes Adrián López and Hernâni involved, the latter knocking the ball into the net to trigger wild celebrations among the Porto contingent – so much so that coach Sérgio Conceição was issued a red card.
Rio Ave 1-3 Sporting
Sporting under new Dutch coach Marcel Keizer look a different beast to the ponderous team that laboured under José Peseiro. Another bright, enterprising and energetic performance was rewarded with three goals and the three points to keep the Lisbon club on Porto’s coat-tails.
The visitors got off to the perfect start as a quickly taken free kick on the halfway line saw Nani and Bruno Fernandes combine well, with the latter firing a low shot into the corner of the net. The lead did not last long, however, as Schmidt equalised four minutes later with a well-taken free kick.
[To watch match highlights, click on the screen below]
Sporting shrugged off the setback and surged forward again, Rio Ave goalkeeper Leo Jardim doing well to keep out efforts from Bruno Fernandes and Diaby in quick succession. But there was nothing he could do to prevent Bas Dost’s powerful header from an excellent Acuña cross from nestling inside the net.
At the start of the second half the same duo combined with the same result, but this time Dost saw his goal ruled out for offside. Rio Ave were close to an equaliser on 64 minutes when Schmidt was thwarted by a fine double-save from Sporting goalkeeper Renan Ribeiro.
Sporting could finally breathe easier in the 71st minute as substitute Jovane Cabral curled a stupendous shot into the top corner of the net from 25 yards out. Fábio Coentrão almost pulled a goal back from the hosts, his header forcing Ribeiro into another good save, but the Lions held on to make it three wins from three and 13 goals scored under their new coach.
By Tom Kundert
Round 11 results
Santa Clara 2-3 Belenenses
Marítimo 0-1 Vitória de Setúbal
Benfica 4-0 Feirense
Braga 2-0 Moreirense
Aves 2-3 Nacional
Portimonense 3-2 Tondela
Chaves 0-1 Vitória de Guimarães
Boavista 0-1 FC Porto
Rio Ave 1-3 Sporting
