Mantorras puts Benfica in the clear

By Rui Matos Pereira

SL Benfica moved three points clear of FC Porto at the top of the SuperLiga on Saturday night after defeating Gil Vicente FC 2-0 at the Estádio da Luz.

Chance taken
Porto's 4-0 home defeat by CD Nacional on Friday had given Benfica the chance to pull away at the top and Giovanni Trapattoni's side made the most of it, despite being thwarted by some resolute defending in the first-half.

Mantorras strike
Trapattoni started with Pedro Mantorras alongside Norwegian international Azar Karadas in attack, and just six minutes into the second-half the Angolan striker made the breakthrough, drilling in a fierce low shot from just outside the penalty area.

Miguel goal
Benfica remained in control and after Roversio had been sent off for Gil Vicente on 72 minutes and doubled their lead two minutes from time when Miguel completed an excellent move by sliding the ball in from a tight angle after being put through by João Pereira. The win takes Benfica three points clear of second-placed Porto, and four ahead of SC Braga, who could only draw 1-1 at home to CS Marítimo in Saturday's other match.

Wender equaliser
Brazilian striker Pena put the Madeiran side ahead on 52 minutes before Braga equalised from the penalty spot 20 minutes later, Wender punishing Mitchell van der Gaag's handball in the area. Three minutes later, the 33-year-old Dutch defender was sent off for a second bookable offence, but Marítimo held on for a point.

Surprise defeat
Sporting Clube de Portugal followed Porto's lead by falling to a surprise defeat on Sunday, losing 2-0 away against FC Penafiel ahead of next week's match between the two sides at the Estádio José Alvalade. Victory would have taken José Peseiro's side level with Porto but goals from Roberto and Ousmane N'Doye condemned them to defeat, despite Penafiel's Brazilian midfield player Nilton's red card for punching Tello.

First win
Elsewhere, SC Beira-Mar recorded their first home win of the year, 2-1 against fellow strugglers GD Estoril-Praia, lifting them above Associação Académica de Coimbra, who drew 0-0 with Rio Ave FC. Moreirense FC also drew 0-0 with UD Leiria but Vitória SC defeated Vitória FC 3-1 in Guimarães, Elpídeo Silva scoring twice for the home side.

Boavista boost
Boavista FC, meanwhile, moved back above Sporting and into fourth place on Monday night with a 2-0 victory at home to CF Os Belenenses. Brazilian forward Guga opened the scoring in the seventh minute and Zé Manel scored from the penalty spot in added time to secure a win that moved the home side on to 44 points, level with Braga.