Sporting are now eight points behind second place Porto and battling to hold onto third place.
Sporting fans were hoping their team could bounce back following their elimination from the Europa League by Wolfsburg but they looked very anaemic in the dragon’s lair as Portugal’s only surviving European contenders ran in three goals without reply.
On the half-hour mark Jackson Martinez, who could well be on his way to Arsenal in the summer (see Page 47) produced a piece of magic.
The 28-year-old, with his back to goal and just inside the Sporting half, calmly chested down the ball before volleying an audacious back heel flick over his shoulder and over the retreating green and white defence for Cristian Tello to run onto and fire home past Rui Patricio.
After the break it was Martinez and Tello at it again, although this time it was more straightforward. Martinez side footed the ball to Tello who finished emphatically into the roof of the net.
With ten minutes remaining the Mexican Hector Herrera beat the offside trap and set-up Tello to seal an emphatic victory and keep Porto four points behind Benfica. The Eagles totally controlled their game against Estoril and ran in four goals in the first thirty-five minutes through captain Luisão, Salvio, Pizza and Jonas.
After the break the home side took their foot of the pedal but still rattled in further goals from Lima (56 mins) and a second from Jonas in the closing minutes. SC Braga closed to within one point of Sporting with a 2-0 away win at Rio Ave.
The pick of this weekend’s games is at the Quarry tonight (Friday) as Braga entertain FC Porto.
In the Second Division the local battle between Portimonense and Farense ended all square.
Zambujo gave the home side the lead five minutes before the interval but Farense substitute Mailo Cruz came off the bench to slot home a late equaliser. Tomorrow (Saturday) SC Farense entertain arch-rivals Olhanense at the Estádio de São Luís (behind Faro Hospital) kick-off 4.00pm.
Former Olhanense boss and ex-Everton player Abel Xavier, now in charge at Farense, will be hoping to complete the double over their neighbours.
Olhanense dominated last Sunday’s game against Oriental, but once again the forwards were misfiring. The visitors took the lead on the stroke of half-time but substitute Andres Ponce smashed home the equaliser within sixty seconds of the restart. Twice the home side hit the woodwork through Weldon and Galassi whilst Ponce wasted golden opportunities to bag a hat-trick. Languishing in the relegation zone it is vital that Olhanense pick up points at Farense and at home to FC Porto’B’ next Wednesday kick-off 3.00pm.