Sporting end the year top of the Primeira Liga table after beating Benfica by a single goal in a tight and tense Lisbon derby, to make it the perfect start for new coach Rui Borges.

The hosts were well on top in the first half, Anatoliy Trubin saving superbly from Geovany Quenda and Viktor Gyökeres, but in between Geny Catamo – who scored both goals in the 2-1 victory for the Lions in the corresponding fixture last season – fired into the net after good work by Gyökeres.

Apart from one effort by Orkun Kökçü which drew a flying save out of Franco Israel, Benfica had been inoffensive in the first half, but it was a different game after the break.

The visitors dominated possession and forced Sporting into a backs-to-the-wall display, the home team holding out for the three points to the delight of their supporters. Tom Kundert reports from Alvalade. 

Farense finally got out of the Primeira Liga relegation zone after a last gasp 2-2 draw against Vitória de Guimarães.

Cláudio Falcão put the visitors ahead in the 37th minute but the Conquerors gained control before the break and didn’t let up after half-time.

Gustavo Silva finished off a fine piece of play from Alberto Baio four minutes after the restart as Daniel Sousa’s new side put their foot down.

Ricardo Velho did well to deny Silva but was unable to prevent Samu in the 90th minute, the substitute side footing home after another assist from Baio.

The Guimarães supporters had to cut their celebrations short however, Neto pouncing on a loose clearance and seeing his volley deflected past a helpless Bruno Varela.

PortuGOAL’s Matthew Marshall reports from Estadio de São Luís.

• Rodrigo Mora

Two times he has been a starter. In each game he has scored, assisted and won the man of the match award. Rodrigo Mora gave another demonstration of why he is a special talent tonight as FC Porto beat Boavista 4-0 at the Estádio do Dragão to go top of the table.

A brace from Samu Aghehowa, a goal from Nico González and a golaço by Rodrigo Mora resulted in a thrashing for the Axadrezados in the Porto derby.

Fans and pundits alike have been calling for Rodrigo Mora to be given more playing time since the start of the season. The way the 17-year-old has started his senior career suggests he may never again be left out of the starting XI. 

One of the most eagerly awaited games on the Primeira Liga calendar is upon us with Sporting CP set to host SL Benfica at the Estádio José Alvalade this weekend. Sunday’s Lisbon derby promises to be a fascinating encounter between two of Portugal’s traditional heavyweights. 

An in-form Benfica sit atop of the standings after an impressive 14-game unbeaten streak in the league. Sporting and FC Porto, however, have kept pace with their rival and trail the Lisbon giants by just one point. With all three clubs jostling for position, Sunday’s match will be a key fixture as we approach the midway point of the season.