Portugal round-up: Porto crowned champions

FC Porto secured their 19th Portuguese Super Liga title with a comprehensive 5-0 win at home to CD Santa Clara on Sunday.

Leaders unattainable
With four games remaining, Porto moved an insurmountable 14 points ahead of nearest challengers SL Benfica, who were defeated 2-1 by Sporting Club de Portugal in the Lisbon derby. Derlei's double and further goals from Maniche, Deco and Hélder Postiga secured Porto's victory and their first title for three years.

Delighted Deco
Deco was overjoyed but is already looking ahead to the UEFA Cup final against Celtic FC and the Portuguese Cup final against UD Leiria. "We are very happy - it's fantastic winning with four games remaining," the playmaker said. "But this is only our first achievement this year. Now we have two more finals and we will do everything to win."

Sporting success
Third-placed Sporting's 2-1 triumph was earned through first-half goals from Quaresma and João Pinto. Sokota pulled a goal back for runners-up-elect Benfica, whose defeat cut their lead over their city rivals to nine points.

Vital win
At the other end of the table, SC Beira-Mar snatched three vital points with a 2-1 home win against CF Belenenses, secured by Levato's double, while Club Académica de Coimbra drew 1-1 with Moreirense FC.

Setúbal on the brink
Elsewhere, Vitória Setúbal slipped closer to relegation after losing 2-0 to FC Paços de Ferreira, whose goals came from Renato Queirós and Zé Manel. Gouveia and Adriano found the net for CD Nacional, who recorded a 2-0 victory of their own against Varzim FC and Leiria and SP Braga drew 1-1. Finally, CS Marítimo drew 0-0 at Boavista FC to stay twelfth and eleventh respectively.

Monday action
On Monday Vitória Guimarães take on Gil Vicente FC at home.