Portugal round-up: Perfect for Porto
Monday, September 22, 2003
Article summary
FC Porto moved top with a 2-0 victory over SL Benfica on the Lisbon club's last visit to Das Antas.
Article body
FC Porto ensured SL Benfica's last visit to their Das Antas stadium was a torrid one as the UEFA Cup holders won 2-0 to move to the top of the Portuguese Superliga.
Derlei opener
With leaders CS Marítimo having drawn 1-1 with SC Braga on Friday, Porto knew a win would take them into first place, and they went ahead on the half hour when Benfica forward Miguel intercepted a cross by Maniche but chested it towards his own goal where Brazilian Derlei poked the ball into the net.
Own goal
Porto were 2-0 up just after half-time when Ricardo Fernandes's corner was turned in by Benfica defender Argel, and all hope of a visitors' comeback ended when Ricardo Rocha was dismissed 12 minutes from the end for a foul on Deco. Porto manager José Mourinho said: "Our great merit was knowing how to defend very effectively. We knew Benfica's moves and we countered them."
Ten men hold Marítimo
Marítimo, whose season had opened with four 1-0 wins, were held by Braga after falling behind nine minutes in to a Wender goal. The home side were level in the 54th minute through Gaúcho, and although Braga had Jorge Luiz dismissed two minutes later, Marítimo couild not find a winner.
Dramatic finish
Sporting Clube de Portugal missed the chance to overtake third-placed Braga on Saturday as they lost 1-0 at Moreirense FC. In a dramatic finish, Manoel scored three minutes into added time to move his side above Sporting into fifth.
Gil Vicente score five
Boavista FC were also unable to move into the top three as they were held 0-0 at home by AA Coimbra, but Gil Vicente FC are usefully placed after beating bottom side CF Estrela da Amadora 5-1. The visitors went 1-0 up in the opening seconds through Julio Cesar only for the same player to be sent off just before the half-hour with his side still leading.
Rio Ave defeated
Elsewhere, Rio Ave FC are still without a win after a 1-0 defeat at Alverca, but UD Leiria claimed their first victory of the season, 2-0 at CD Nacional. SC Beira-Mar beat FC Paços de Ferreira 4-1, while Os Belenenses SDF and Vitória SC meet on Monday night.
