Portugal round-up: Easy for Porto

Comfort zone
José Mourinho's team maintained their 13-point advantage at the top of the Super Liga after goals from Marco Ferreira, Dmitri Alenichev and a Ricardo Pessoa own goal saw off visitors Setúbal on Sunday. The leaders could even afford to rest playmaker Deco ahead of Thursday's UEFA Cup semi-final against S.S. Lazio.

Benfica boost
Meanwhile, SL Benfica consolidated second place with a 3-1 victory at FC Paços de Ferreira. Nuno Gomes scored twice and captain Simão once as Benfica moved nine points clear of Sporting Clube de Portugal in the race for the second UEFA Champions League berth.

Dropped points
Sporting had to settle for a point from the visit of form-team Vitória Guimarães, who are fourth in the table. The defending champions needed an equaliser from Beto, who was later sent off, after Carlos Fangueiro put Guimarães ahead.

All square
Portugal's other UEFA Cup semi-finalist, Boavista FC, stayed level on points with Moreirense FC in mid-table after the teams drew 1-1. Boavista striker Luiz Cláudio cancelled out Jorge Duarte's opening goal for the home side.

Relegation worries
UD Leiria lost 3-1 at home against CD Santa Clara to fall into the bottom three. They were overtaken on goal difference by Associação Académica de Coimbra who drew 2-2 with CD Nacional in Coimbra.

Solitary strike
CS Marítimo moved up to eighth place with a 1-0 win at SC Braga, while one goal was also the difference between Varzim SC and second-bottom SC Beira-Mar, who were beaten by a Paulo Vida penalty. In the Monday night game, fifth-placed Gil Vicente FC drew 1-1 in Lisbon with CF Os Belenenses.