Martín Anselmi’s first Primeira Liga match as FC Porto coach ended in a 2-2 draw at Rio Ave.

Twice the home team took the lead as crass mistakes from Porto centre-backs Nehuén Pérez and Otávio were taken advantage of by smart finishes from Clayton Silva and Ole Pohlmann respectively.

But twice Porto fought back, curiously with the two “villains” redeeming themselves as Pérez scored from a corner and Otávio’s fierce 25-yard shot was deflected past the impressive Rio Ave goalkeeper Cezary Miszta on its way into the net.

Both teams could have scored further goals in an entertaining match, Porto youngster Rodrigo Mora in particular showing his magical skillset again.

It is now four Liga games without a win for the Dragons, who find themselves lagging a distant eight points behind leaders Sporting ahead of hosting the Portuguese champions on Friday night. 

Benfica moved back to within six points of city rivals Sporting after winning a five-goal thriller at Estrela da Amadora tonight.

The Eagles looked set for a routine victory after poor defending from the hosts allowed the visitors to score two set-piece goals in the opening 10 minutes through captain Nicolás Otamendi and an Issiar Dramé own goal.

Estrela hit back when right-back Diogo Travassos tried his luck from distance and a deflection off Otamendi took the ball beyond Trubin and into the corner of the net. Benfica almost immediately restored their two-goal lead, Vangelis Pavlidis hitting an unstoppable shot into the net from 20 yards out.

Estrela refused to lie down and new signing Chico Banza capped an impressive debut when he rounded Trubin and rolled the ball into the net to make it 3-2 at the start of the second half.

A nervous Bruno Lage was barking out instructions when he wasn’t looking at his watch, and Arthur Cabral, possibly playing his final game in a Benfica shirt, had the chance to ease the Benfica coach’s anxiety in the closing minutes but missed a penalty.

It mattered not as the visitors saw out the game to register their first Primeira Liga win on the road since beating Nacional in Madeira in mid-December. 

Sporting Clube de Portugal temporarily moved nine points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga after beating Farense 3-1 at Estádio José Alvalade.

The Lions got off to a fast start in Lisbon and took the lead in the 11th minute. Conrad Harder was the instigator, the striker driving into the box and picking out Iván Fresneda who steered the ball into the back of the net.

Geny Catamo was stretchered off the pitch in the 25th minute and replaced by João Simões, Sporting doubling their advantage less than 60 seconds later. It was a simple goal, Francisco Trincão's corner headed home by Ousmane Diomande.

Farense got back into the contest in added time when Lucas Áfrico headed Elves Baldé’s cross into the net, VAR intervening and ruling the defender narrowly onside.

Rui Borges’ side went close through Trincão, Gonçalo Inácio and Harder, the Dane finally sealing the deal in the 88th minute when he chested Mateus Reis’ cross past Ricardo Velho.

Sporting maintain their tremendous home form in the Primeira Liga, making it 27 wins in their previous 28 matches at Estádio José Alvalade. The victory takes them nine points clear of Benfica and Porto, the Eagles away at Estrela da Amadora and the Dragons facing Rio Ave in Vila do Conde.

Benfica, Sporting and Porto today learned their playoff opponents in the next phase of the UEFA club competitions.

In the Champions League playoffs, Benfica will face Monaco and Sporting will take on Borussia Dortmund. Porto were drawn against Roma in the Europa League.