Sporting punish nine-man Porto

By Hugo Pietra

Sporting Clube de Portugal inflicted significant damage on FC Porto's hopes of claiming a third successive Portuguese SuperLiga title with a 2-0 victory at the Estádio José Alvalade tonight. Liedson and Carlos Martins scored in the second half while the champions ended the match with nine men.

Notable absentees
Although injury deprived the home side of Hugo, Custódio, Anderson Polga and Fábio Rochemback against full-strength Porto, Sporting enjoyed the better of the first half. The visitors' hopes suffered a major blow in the 34th minute as South African striker Benni McCarthy was dismissed for violent conduct following an incident involving Rui Jorge, who might then have given Sporting a half-time lead with Liedson also going close.

Penalty breakthrough
The home team continued to control the match in the second period with Roudolphe Douala striking the woodwork in the 58th minute. Four minutes later, the breakthrough did arrive as Porto defender Giourkas Seitaridis handled Pedro Barbosa's cross inside the penalty area and was dismissed. Liedson made no mistake from the spot for his 21st league goal of the season.

Clinching second
Sporting missed a number of chance to make the game safe, but finally wrapped up the points four minutes into added time as Carlos Martins scored the second with a left-foot shot from inside the penalty area. Sporting join Porto, Boavista FC and SC Braga on 45 points, six behind leaders SL Benfica.