Portugal round-up: Porto close the gap

FC Porto closed the gap on Boavista FC with a convincing 3-0 vwin against SC Salgueiros on Sunday.

McCarthy double
South African striker Benni McCarthy struck twice in a victory which helped third-placed Porto move within five points of Boavista and six points of leaders Sporting Clube de Portugal. McCarthy, on loan from RC Celta de Vigo, put Porto ahead in the tenth minute with a shot from an acute angle, before Paraguayan midfield player Carlos Paredes made it 2-0 with a header in the 37th minute. Porto sealed victory when McCarthy claimed his second goal, a carbon copy of his first, in the 50th minute.

Champions frustrated
Boavista passed up the chance to move to the top of the 1. Liga after a goalless draw at home to Vitória Guimarães. Sporting moved a point clear after a draw with SC Braga on Saturday but champions Boavista were frustrated by their determined visitors. CS Marítimo kept up their pursuit of a European place with a 1-0 win over SC Farense thanks to Gaúcho's 73rd-minute strike.

Setubal move clear
Vitória Setúbal moved out of the relegation zone after Hugo Henrique scored two late goals in a 2-1 win over basement side FC Alverca, who took a 75th-minute lead through Caju's penalty. Varzim SC gave their chances of avoiding the drop a lift after a 2-0 win over Gil Vicente FC, while FC Paços de Ferreira edged out CD Santa Clara 2-1.