• Paulinho

Sporting 1-0 Famalicão

Sporting made it three wins from three with a 1-0 victory against Famalicão in a hard-fought match of few chances at Alvalade tonight.

Centre-forward Paulinho continued his rich vein of form, heading in from close range in the 52nd minute to put Sporting joint top of the table with Vitória. 

Gil Vicente 2-3 Benfica

Goals from Ángel Di María, Rafa Silva and Petar Musa were enough to see the Eagles earn a slender 3-2 victory against Gil Vicente at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos on Saturday night.

It is too early in the season to draw definitive conclusions, but tonight was more evidence that Benfica are so far struggling to match the level of play they displayed in last season’s championship winning campaign. 

Farense got back to winning ways in the best possible fashion after crushing Chaves 5-0 at Estádio de São Lúis.

The opening four goals were scored in a ruthless 12 minute spell early in the first half, Mohamed Belloumi’s cross headed home by Zach Muscat and Cláudio Falcão converting another pinpoint delivery from Rui Costa.

Belloumi poked home from close range after his shot had been spilled by Hugo, the fourth goal coming from another cross as Fabrício Isidoro headed Talocha’s teasing ball into the net.

José Gomes made three substitutions at the break but his side were 5-0 down in the 49th minute when Mattheus Oliveira drilled the ball into the bottom corner.

Farense are off and running as they attempt to avoid another swift relegation into the Segunda Liga, Chaves the only team without a point in the Primeira Liga, 11 goals conceded in three defeats an alarming sign.

Braga have pulled off a big surprise in the closing week of the transfer market by signing former Portugal international João Moutinho on a one-year contract.

Moutinho, who has 146 caps for his country, was expected to return to FC Porto, but Moutinho’s picture is all over the Portuguese press today alongside Braga president António Salvador and not Porto president Pinto da Costa.