Benfica build six-point buffer

By Hugo Pietra

With FC Porto and Sporting Clube de Portugal playing on Monday, SL Benfica capitalised to extend their lead at the Portuguese SuperLiga summit to six points with a 2-0 win at Vitória FC, while Boavista FC and SC Braga were both held.

Veríssimo dismissal
Giovanni Trapattoni's side were never likely to struggle against a team seeking their first victory in eight matches and the task became easier on 27 minutes when Setúbal were reduced to ten men following Nélson Veríssimo's dismissal. Benfica were ahead by half-time, when Manuel Fernandes struck a powerful shot from long range.

Petit concern
Brazilian striker Geovanni effectively sealed the win with a second from a deflected shot just after the hour. However, the victory was tempered by the late substitution of midfield player Petit with suspected broken ribs. The win extends their lead to six points after Boavista and Braga were both forced to come from behind to salvage 1-1 draws.

Carbon copies
A shock looked on the cards at FC Penafiel after Brazilian defender Odaír gave the home side the lead on 28 minutes. But Carlos Fernandes equalised for Boavista at the start of the second half although they could not find a second. The match between Rio Ave FC and SC Braga was almost a carbon copy as a goal midway through the first half from Evandro was cancelled out by João Tomás a minute past the hour.

Marítimo defeat
A goal from Alex with just eleven minutes remaining proved decisive as Vitória SC defeated SC Marítimo 2-1. The midfield player had earlier given his side the lead on seven minutes before Rogério Matias' own goal levelled the scores midway through the second half.

Académica success
Associação Académica de Coimbra won by the same scoreline at UD Leiria after racing into a two-goal lead inside the first 16 minutes with goals from Paulo Adriano and Dário. Josiesley Ferreira pulled a goal back on 68 minutes to set up a frenetic finish but Académica held on to lift themselves off the foot of the table.

Relegation concerns
SC Beira-Mar now lie there after Marco Paulo scored twice to give CF Os Belenenses a 2-0 win, while GD Estoril-Praia eased their own relegation worries with a two-goal victory against Moreirense. Elsewhere, Gil Vicente FC edged out GD Nacional in a five-goal thriller.