Benfica benefit as Sporting slip

Porto postponement
The Portuguese Football Federation had postponed leaders FC Porto's encounter with CD Nacional and it was left to the two remaining members of the country's big three, Sporting and Benfica, to provide the action.

Shock defeat
Sporting, however, suffered a shock 4-0 reverse at the hands of Rio Ave FC on Saturday. Two goals from Evandro Carlos and further stikes from Jaime Aquino and Paulo Cesar accounted for the Lisbon team.

Gomes winner
José Antonio Camacho's charges were not about to let the slip-up go unpunished, and a 74th-minute goal from Portuguese international Nuno Gomes proved decisive. Fourth-placed SC Braga, meanwhile, were unable to bounce back from their midweek domestic cup semi-final defeat by Porto, only managing a 1-1 draw against Boavista FC.

Leiria victory
UD Leiria encountered fewer problems against Alverca Futebol SAD, winning 4-1 thanks to two goals from Edson Silva and Roudolph Douala. FC Paços de Ferreira edged out CF Estrela da Amadora 1-0 and AA Coimbra beat Gil Vicente FC on their travels by the same score. On Friday, CS Marítimo and Vitória SC had battled out a 1-1 draw.

Monday match
Moreirense FC and CF Os Belenenses drew 0-0 on Monday.