Jorge Jesus is no longer Benfica coach. After several days of speculation about his future in the wake of interest from Flamengo to reappoint him and the 3-0 defeat to Porto in the Portuguese Cup, the 67-year-old manager has parted ways with the Lisbon club – two days before the Eagles play Porto again in a crucial Primeira Liga clash.

An apparent player revolt yesterday after an altercation between club captain Pizzi and Jesus seems to have precipitated the decision, with some reports in the Portuguese media saying JJ resigned and others claiming he was sacked. 

Holders Braga also knocked out

The round-of-16 of the Portuguese Cup served up an entertaining set of matches and several noteworthy results. The standout tie between bitter rivals FC Porto and Benfica produced a typical fiercely fought and incident-packed Clássico, with three goals in the opening half hour giving the Dragons victory. 

Two second-tier teams, Mafra and Rio Ave beat Primeira Liga outfits Moreirense and B-SAD respectively, holders Braga were knocked out by Vizela, and Sporting had to come from behind to overcome Casa Pia. PortuGOAL rounds up the action. 

The final round of Liga Bwin fixtures before Christmas concluded last night, and it proved to be a pivotal weekend for many of Portugal’s top flight.

Paços Ferreira, Boavista and Santa Clara have all been struggling of late but the trio recorded important victories to edge further up the league table.

At the top it remained as you were with Sporting and Porto securing easy wins to stay level pegging in the title race.

Benfica kept in touch though with a 7-1 demolition of Marítimo, their star man and PortuGOAL Figure of the Week Rafa Silva was in sensational form once more.

• Benfica
• Maritimo
• Sporting,
• FC Porto,
• Rafa Silva
• Luis Diaz
• Gil Vicente
• Darwin Nunez
• FC Vizela

Benfica have cemented preparations for their upcoming FC Porto double-header with a 7-1 triumph over Marítimo at the Estádio da Luz, as their fellow title hopefuls also registered victories.

Goals and assists from Darwin Nuñez and Rafa Silva again proved to be the recipe for success for the Eagles in a big outing against Marítimo in the Primeira Liga, as they aimed to close in on top spot.

Porto kept their distance, however, with a 4-0 win away to Vizela, following Sporting, also victorious against Gil Vicente, to the top of the table with a four-point advantage.