Sporting take over at the top
Monday, May 9, 2005
Article summary
Sporting Clube de Portugal went above SL Benfica on goal difference at the top of the Portuguese SuperLiga.
Article body
By Diogo Teixeira
Sporting Clube de Portugal went top of the Portuguese SuperLiga on goal difference as Rodrigo Tello's second-half strike proved enough for a 1-0 win against Vitória SC.
Crucial encounter
The result moved José Peseiro's side to 61 points, level with SL Benfica but ahead of their Lisbon rivals on goal difference. The two teams meet on Saturday in a match that could decide the destination of the title, although Sporting will be without top scorer Liedson through suspension after the Brazilian collected a last-minute yellow card.
Sporting on top
Boosted by reaching the UEFA Cup final on Thursday and having seen Benfica lose on Saturday, Sporting pressed forward from the first whistle. However, the visitors defended stoutly and restricted Sporting to a few glimpses of goal, prompting Peseiro to introduce Pedro Barbosa in place of Hugo Viana at half-time.
Fine free-kick
The hosts remained in charge as the second half began, and scored what proved the winning goal two minutes before the hour. Chilean Tello got the decisive strike with a superb free-kick from the right, finding the top corner and giving Guimarães goalkeeper Palatsi no chance.
