Liga NOS is finely poised as the league pauses again for another international break, Jornada 10 providing some nail-biting matches as most came down to fine margins. Nacional edged Marítimo in the Madeira derby, Aves shocked high-flying Rio Ave, while Porto maintained top spot with a late Tiquinho Soares goal proving the difference between themselves and fellow title challengers Braga.

Another keenly-contested encounter featured the subject of this edition of Figure of the Week, as Dutch striker Bas Dost was back to doing what he does best to help Sporting to a tight victory over Chaves.

• Benfica
• Primeira Liga,
• Liga NOS,
• Sporting,
• FC Porto,
• Sporting de Braga,

With another potentially decisive week in store for the Primeira Liga universe, much of the attentions were turned towards the clash between table-toppers FC Porto and Sporting de Braga at the Estádio do Dragão, last Saturday.

The two contenders traded blows, but it was Tiquinho Soares in the 88th minute that would make all the difference, as a 1-0 win for the Dragons placed them three points clear at the top.

Also on edge was Rui Vitória in Benfica’s visit to Tondela, desperate for a win to ease the talk on his future at the club, and despite the hosts taking the lead after just one minute, three goals in response saw the Eagles bounce back with a much-needed 3-1 victory.

Lastly, in Tiago Fernandes’ final game in charge of Sporting as interim boss, the Lions were able to conclude a satisfactory week with a testing 2-1 win at home to Chaves, keeping the Lions just two points off the top in second place. PortuGOAL brings you the top weekend action.

• Marcel Keizer
• Jose Peseiro

Unlike most presidential campaigns dotted around the Mediterranean footballing panorama, the hunt for the top job at Sporting included no new managerial promises to sweeten budding members of the club during Septmeber's emergency elections, with each remaining candidate sticking by José Peseiro and his winning start to the 2018/19 season. Large pockets of the Lions support had been less than convinced by the 2005 UEFA Cup finalist, however, meaning that it was only a matter of time before the new club president, Frederico Varandas, called for a conclusion on Peseiro’s tenure.

The aftermath of Sporting’s 2-1 loss to Estoril in the League Cup, resulting in Peseiro’s sacking, brought forward fresh calls for the Green & Whites to appoint a domestic manager, familiar with the demands of the Primeira Liga, that translated into the likes of Paulo Sousa and Miguel Cardoso finding their way onto the front pages. The newly-elected club president holds a different vision, however, turning instead to Dutch boss Marcel Keizer, formerly of the Emirati club Al-Jazira, to lead the way in a new era for the title-hungry club. But just who is the man Varandas has chosen to back?

Round-up: Ronaldo rocket, but Mourinho has last laugh

Portugal’s three representatives in European competition were unbeaten this week, although only FC Porto truly impressed. The Dragons thumped Lokomotiv Moscow 4-1 at the Estádio do Dragão to all but book their place in the knockout stage of the competition.

Barring a set of freak results, Benfica will not be joining them though, after Ajax held Rui Vitória’s side to a 1-1 draw in Lisbon. Sporting also drew as they played out a tame 0-0 in London against Arsenal.

Elsewhere, José Mourinho’s Manchester United came from behind to secure an impressive 2-1 victory over Juventus, who had taken the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo’s outstanding opener, while there were also goals for Daniel Candeias and Ricardo Quaresma in the Europa League.