Porto edge Portuguese showpiece

By Hugo Pietra

A ninth-minute goal from Benni McCarthy was enough for FC Porto to defeat SL Benfica at the Estádio da Luz on Sunday night.

Two off
Victory was imperative for the champions, who now have 12 points from six games, one fewer than SuperLiga leaders Benfica and CS Marítimo, who survived the sending off of Fernando and Briguel to beat Moreirense FC 1-0 on Saturday, an own goal by Ricardo Fernandes settling the fixture.

Long-range goal
There were also two players dismissed in Lisbon, Benfica striker Nuno Gomes and Porto's Pepe following a 59th-minute scuffle. By then, the European champions were a goal to the good after South Africa forward McCarthy struck from long range following a poor clearance from Panagiotis Fyssas.

Capacity crowd
The home side, cheered on by the vast majority of a 61,981 crowd, almost drew level with eleven minutes remaining but Petit's shot failed to cross the line after going through Porto goalkeeper Vítor Baía. Level with Porto are SC Braga, who defeated the bottom club Gil Vicente FC 1-0 away on Friday. Gil Vicente coach Luís Campos was sent off along with Arnolin Gregory.

Sporting success
Zé Manuel scored twice and André Barreto the other as Boavista FC won 3-0 at UD Leiria to climb to sixth, level on points with CF Os Belenenses, 4-1 conquerors of FC Penafiel who had Mariano dismissed. Sporting Clube de Portugal's first away win of the season was a comfortable one, 4-1 at GD Estoril-Praia.

Debut goal
Brazilian Liedson enjoyed a splendid opening to the game, scoring in the sixth and 19 minutes. Estoril reduced arrears in the 51st minute through João Paulo's header, only for Hugo Viana to strike twice to settle the match. Mid-table sides Rio Ave FC and SC Beira-Mar drew 1-1, while a goal on his debut from Fidalgo saw CD Nacional defeat Vitória SC 1-0 and climb to seventh.

European action
In Monday night's game, Vitória FC won 1-0 at home against struggling A. Académica de Coimbra. thanks to Albert Meyong's 78th-minute penalty. Porto are in Champions League duty against Paris Saint-Germain FC on Wednesday, while Benfica play SC Heerenveen in the first match of the inaugural UEFA Cup group stage 24 hours later.