Portugal: Jardel seals Sporting win

Sporting Clube de Portugal moved to within two points of I. Divisão leaders FC Porto on Monday evening with a convincing 2-0 win over Boavista FC.

Jardel on target
João Pinto, who started his professional career at Boavista, put Sporting in front against the Portuguese champions when he scored with an acrobatic effort on 23 minutes after a long ball out of defence by Phil Babb was knocked into his path by Mario Jardel.

Scoring record
Brazilian striker Jardel continued his amazing form in the second half when he converted a 64th-minute penalty, awarded for a handball in the area by Petit. It was the 13th goal in just nine league appearances for Jardel, who joined from Galatasaray SK in the summer.

Red cards
The game was marred by the dismissal of Sporting defender Beto and Boavista striker Elpídio Silva seven minutes from time. To cap a miserable night for Boavista, coach Jaime Pacheco was sent from the bench shortly before the double red card. Porto are ahead of Boavista on goal difference, with SL Benfica a point behind in third after 12 rounds of action.