Porto resume normal service

FC Porto returned to winning ways in the Superliga after their 27-match unbeaten run was ended by Gil Vicente FC last weekend by registering a slender 1-0 win against CS Marítimo.

Carvalho winner
The result edged Porto closer to a successful defence of their title, keeping the UEFA Champions League semi-finalists four points clear at the top with a game in hand over second-placed Sporting Clube de Portugal and SL Benfica in third. Just three days after their 4-2 aggregate victory over Olympique Lyonnais in Europe's showpiece competition, José Mourinho's team looked set to drop points before the unmarked Ricardo Carvalho headed in a Deco corner at the far post four minutes from time.

Liédson hat-trick
Elsewhere, Brazilian striker Liédson hit a hat-trick in Sporting's 4-0 defeat of CF Estrela da Amadora, first heading in a João Pinto cross then adding a second on the hour. Substitute Marius Niculae made it 3-0 after 79 minutes before Liédson popped up to seal the win.

Hard work
Benfica had to work harder for their 2-1 win against FC Paços de Ferreira, Nuno Gomes tapping in the opener early in the second-half before José Manuel's free-kick levelled proceedings. Geovanni claimed the winner from the edge of the box with three minutes to go. CD Nacional, in fourth, overcame Gil Vicente with goals from Serginho Baiano and Adriano Rossato.

Other games
Elsewhere, fifth-placed SC Braga were held to a 2-2 draw by UD Leiria and in mid-table AA Coimbra demolished Alverca Futebol SAD 4-0 while Vitória SC dispatched Rio Ave FC 2-0. On Friday, Moreirense FC defeated out-of-sorts Boavista FC 2-1 and Monday's encounter between CF Os Belenenses and SC Beira-Mar will complete the 30th round of matches.