Sporting finished the first half of the season top of the league after a straightforward victory in their final match of the primeira volta on a wintry Saturday night in Chaves.

Goals either side of half time from Paulinho, Francisco Trincão and Pote made it seven straight victories in all competitions for the Lions and put pressure on the chasing pack Benfica, Porto and Braga, all of whom play on Sunday. 

The standout tie of the fourth round the Portuguese Cup lived up to expectations as Benfica and Braga served up a hugely entertaining affair at the Estádio da Luz tonight.

In front of over 56,000 fans, it was the hosts who came out on top 3-2 in a game that was embellished by superb goals throughout.

Watch the five excellent strikes and extended highlights of the ding-dong match in Lisbon. 

Sporting and Porto booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup with convincing 4-0 victories tonight against Tondela and Estoril respectively.

The Lions easily brushed aside second-tier Tondela at Alvalade, with Pedro Gonçalves and Viktor Gyökeres netting a brace apiece.

Porto were expected to be given a far tougher test against Estoril, but the much-improved Dragons exacted revenge against the team that had beaten them twice in recent times. Evanilson was the star of the show scoring a hat-trick, with Galeno rounding off a highly satisfactory night for Porto. 

Rio Ave climbed out of the relegation zone after a 2-0 victory over Portimonense at Estádio dos Arcos.

Chances were hard to come by in the first half before an error from Vinícius resulted in Emmanuel Boateng opening the scoring in the 54th minute.

The Algarve club couldn’t find an equaliser, their efforts leaving them exposed which played a part in Rio Ave doubling their lead in the 89th minute.

Zé Manuel and Emmanuel Boateng combined to cut Portimonense’s defence apart, Boateng turning provider for the substitute who found the bottom corner.