Sporting picked up a fourth consecutive win in league play with a fluid display full of verve and attacking intent to overwhelm Boavista in Lisbon tonight.

Goals from Nuno Santos, Salvador Agra (in his own net) and Paulinho gave the Lions a 3-0 win but the margin of victory could and should have been far greater with the home side creating and spurning a hatful of chances throughout the 90 minutes.

• Benfica
• Maritimo
• Primeira Liga,
• Alex Grimaldo
• Joao Mario
• David Neres

Benfica have moved back to an eight-point advantage from second-placed FC Porto after defeating relegation-threatened Marítimo 3-0 away from home this Sunday.

The Eagles rushed into a dominant first half display but were made to wait until the brink of half-time before getting their noses in front, courtesy of a David Neres finish.

Having missed a first-half penalty, João Mário made amends with goal number two for Benfica before Neres, in the 57th minute, concluded a comfortable win for Roger Schmidt’s men.

Rio Ave climbed into the top half of the Primeira Liga after an entertaining 2-1 win against Gil Vicente at Estádio dos Arcos.

The Vila do Conde club took a 2-0 lead into the break, Fábio Ronaldo scoring in the 15th minute before delivering a cross that Costinha converted in added time.

Amine Oudrhiri was sent off in the 58th minute which immediately put Rio Ave on the back foot, the visitors reducing the deficit four minutes later after Ronaldo’s own goal.

Gil Vicente couldn’t break through but were given a golden opportunity to equalise in added time when Paulo Vitor conceded a penalty. Navarro’s spot kick was saved by Jhonatan, the goalkeeper deservedly named man of the match.

Braga made it back to back wins in the Primeira Liga after a comfortable 4-0 victory in Vizela.

It was a slow burner with Al Musrati’s deflected strike putting the Warriors ahead in the 43rd minute.

Iuri Medeiros scored after the break and netted his second goal in the 65th minute.

There was no way back for Vizela, Ricardo Horta volleying home in the 75th minute.

Artur Jorge immediately shifts his focus to the crucial home game against Porto next Sunday.