Strugglers provide shock for Porto

By Onofre Costa

FC Porto's Portuguese SuperLiga lead fell to one point this weekend, as they fell to a surprise defeat at home to lowly SC Beira Mar and Sporting Clube de Portugal took full advantage.

Porto shocked
Beira-Mar were eight matches without a win, but that changed on Friday night when Beto's 38th-minute free-kick put them ahead and goalkeeper Paulo Sérgio had an inspired night. Beto was sent off late on, but victory was theirs.

Sporting win
SL Benfica can move level on points with Porto if they defeat GD Estoril-Praia on Monday, but for now Sporting are up to second after their 3-2 win at A. Académica de Coimbra on Sunday. Liedson struck on 20 and 22 minutes, only for Académica to score twice in the opening ten minutes of the second half through Dário and a Luciano penalty. However, Académica defender Vasco Faísca was sent off soon after and on 75 minutes Rogério converted Hugo Viana's corner to seal Sporting's points despite Tinga's late dismissal.

Boavista held
Both Boavista FC and SC Braga missed chances to capitalise on Porto's reverse. Boavista could have overtaken Porto but were held 1-1 at bottom side Moreirense FC despite taking a 78th-minute lead through João Pinto. Manoel struck back for the home team and João Pinto was sent off in added time.

Braga fall
Meanwhile, Braga fell 1-0 at home to FC Penafiel, with Clayton heading in on the hour and Braga's Wender dismissed near the end. Elsewhere on Sunday, Vitória FC overcame fellow European candidates CS Marítimo 2-0, and lowly Gil Vicente FC beat Rio Ave FC 3-1.

Saturday successes
On Saturday, UD Leiria defeated hosts CD Nacional 3-0 with three goals in the last 17 minutes and Vitória SC's recovery continued with a 1-0 win against CF Os Belenenses.