Portugal round-up: Unbeaten Porto move to summit

FC Porto took advantage of SL Benfica’s defeat by newly promoted CD Nacional on Sunday to go to the top of the Portuguese first division thanks to a 1-0 win over Madeira side CS Marítimo.

Deco decisive
Brazilian playmaker Deco struck decisively on eleven minutes, capping a marvellous run with a low shot past goalkeeper Nélson from 17 metres, and Portuguese international Nuno Capucho went close to doubling the lead in the second half with a header.

Serginho winner
Porto are mow the only undefeated side in the 1 Divisão after Benfica went down 1-0 to Nacional, who scored from virtually their only opportunity when Brazilian striker Serginho tapped in after a cross from Ricardo Esteves on the 60 minutes. The Eagles' best opportunity came six minutes from time, but Hungarian international striker Miklós Fehér effort was cleared at the last moment by defender Idalécio.

Sporting doldrums
Reigning champions Sporting Clube de Portugal, with Mário Jardel finally back in the team, suffered their third defeat in four matches when they lost 4-2 at SC Braga. Midfield player José Barroso opened the scoring for the hosts from the penalty spot and soon after defender Artur Jorge headed in a Vítor Castanheira corner.

Glauber free-kick
On-loan Belarussian international forward Vitaly Kutuzov pulled one back with a superb chip but Barroso struck again with a fierce 35-metre free-kick. Seven minutes later, Chilean international winger Rodrigo Tello put Sporting back in contention but Glauber dashed any hopes of a comeback when he buried a free-kick. 

Boavista defeat
In the remaining matches, Boavista FC lost 3-1 to Paços Ferreira, who also defeated Sporting last week, despite going ahead through Elpídeo Silva, but Carlos Carneiro, Renato Queiroz and Mauro turned the match on its head.

Moreirense off mark
Moreirense FC, meanwhile, grabbed their first ever top flight win with a 2-1 defeat of UD Leiria 2-1 thanks to goals from Demétrios and Armando while Varzim lost at home against CF Os Belenenses, going down to strikes in each half from striker Henri Antchouet and Brazilian winger Verona.

Azores thriller
On the Azores, CD Santa Clara overcame a 1-0 deficit to defeat Gil Vicente FC 4-2, with Brazilian forward Manoel opening the scoring for the visitors, who were unstuck by Paulo Jorge, a double from another Brazilian, Ceará, and Sandro. Vitória FC Setúbal and SC Beira-Mar shared the spoils at the Bonfim stadium in a 1-1 draw.