Benfica stay six points clear

By Hugo Pietra

A late goal from substitute Pedro Mantorras gave leaders SL Benfica a crucial 4-3 victory against CS Marítimo to stay six points clear of their nearest rivals in the SuperLiga standings.

Gomes double
Nuno Gomes’s sixth-minute goal for Benfica was immediately cancelled out by Pena, before Miguel and a second from Gomes regained Benfica's lead. Dutch defender Mitchell van der Gaag pulled the visitors back into the game just before half-time and Pena’s second brought the two teams level on 49 minutes. However, Mantorras’s decisive strike four minutes from time gave Giovanni Trapattoni’s side victory.

Postiga first
Earlier, FC Porto defeated strugglers Gil Vicente FC 1-0 to record their first home win in over three months. Portuguese international forward Hélder Postiga scored the all-important goal in the 36th minute, his first of the season.

Porto climb
Porto joined Sporting Clube de Portugal on 48 points, after they won 4-0 at title rivals Boavista FC on Saturday night. SuperLiga top scorer Liedson brought his tally to 23 for the season, with two, while Beto and substitute Carlos Martins were also on the scoresheet in a match where the home side had Éder sent-off for a second bookable offence on 68 minutes.

More dismissals
Boavista goalkeeper William and Sporting duo Rui Jorge and Sá Pinto were also dismissed after the final whistle. Vitória SC and Rio Ave FC both gained a point on Boavista in their quests for UEFA Cup qualification as they played out a goalless draw.

Brazilians strike
At the bottom, A. Académica de Coimbra won the relegation encounter with GD Estoril Praia, courtesy of José Castro’s sixth-minute strike to move out of the drop zone, while FC Penafiel went five points clear of the drop zone after winning at basement club SC Beira-Mar. Stephen McPhee put the home team ahead, before Brazilians Roberto, Wesley and Clayton responded for Penafiel.

Sousa winner
In Maderia, two goals from Jorginho and one from Ricardo Chaves gave Vitória FC a 3-1 win at CD Nacional while CF Os Belenenses claimed away glory at Moreirense FC thanks to Sousa’s solitary late strike.

Braga climb
In Monday's game SC Braga moved level on points with Sporting and Porto points thanks to a 1-0 win at home to UD Leiria. Brazilian midfield player Vandinho scored the only goal of the game six minutes before half-time.