Portugal round-up: Benfica secure Lisbon spoils

FC Porto cemented their four-point lead at the top of the Portuguese Super-Liga after beating CD Santa Clara 3-1 on an exciting weekend of action.

Morale boost
The result will have boosted the side's morale ahead of the second leg of the UEFA Cup third-round tie against RC Lens. Meanwhile José Mourinho's side's closest challengers, SL Benfica, beat reigning champions and cup holders Sporting Clube de Portugal 2-0.
 
Prolific Postiga
Porto controlled the action in the São Miguel stadium and scored on the half-hour mark, thanks to prolific forward Hélder Postiga. The youngster pounced on a rebound after Derlei's header was parried by goalkeeper Jorge Silva.

Home and dry
Postiga was on target again in the 62nd minute, deflecting a Deco cross from the left side. Ten minutes later, it was Edgaras Jankauskas's turn to strike as the Lithuanian rose higher than the opposition to flick a header into the net from a pass by midfielder Maniche. Santa Clara narrowed the gap with a goal from captain Paulo Figueiredo but Porto were home and dry by that stage.
 
Derby day
On Saturday, the José Alvalade stadium hosted its final Lisbon derby and José Antonio Camacho's Benfica side secured the spoils. Slovenian international playmaker Zlatko Zahovic gave them the lead after 15 minutes, squeezing a left-footed shot from just outside the box past Nélson.

Tiago contribution crucial
Ten minutes later, Mário Jardel missed Sporting's best chance of the match when his first-time shot was cleared off the line by Tiago, who, five minutes before half-time scored his side's decisive second goal from a Simão pass. The second half was marred by the sending-offs of Ricardo Quaresma and Petit.

Narrow win for Belenenses
Elsewhere, CF Belenenses beat SC Beira-Mar 3-2 thanks to a last-gasp penalty winner by skipper Tuck. Clube Académica de Coimbra's battle to avoid relegation suffered another blow when they lost 1-0 one against Moreirense FC, with Flávio Cordeiro scoring the only goal four minutes before full time. Académica midfielder Lucas was sent off a second bookable offence.
 
Home win for Varzim
Varzim SC registered another home win, this time against CD Nacional, with the only goal coming from Quim Berto's penalty while Vitória Setúbal's unbeaten away record continued with a 2-1 win against FC Paços Ferreira. Rui Miguel and Hugo Henrique scored in each half while Renato Queirós got Paços Ferreira's consolation.
 
Spoils shared
SC Braga and UD Leiria shared the spoils 1-1 in Braga. Leiria scored first through Fernando Aguiar but Argentinian striker Gabriel Bordí levelled matters. With five minutes left Leiria forward Maciel was sent off.
 
Boavista boost
Boavista FC received a boost ahead of their UEFA Cup match against Paris Saint-Germain FC with a 3-0 win against CS Marítimo. Jorge Couto struck twice, one in each half, and Brazilian striker Luiz Cláudio also got on the scoresheet.
 
Guimarães up to third
Finally in Barcelos, Vitória Guimarães won 2-0 against Gil Vicente FC to go level in third place with Sporting. Playmaker Nuno Assis and winger Fangueiro got the goals.