Benfica maintain a four point lead at the top with victory over Famalicão at the Estadío de Luz whilst Porto got back to winning ways with a comfortable win over Tondela. Sporting leapfrogged Famalição, into third place, with a comprehensive win in the Azores.
Benfica manager Bruno Lage, just days after securing the club’s passage into the Europa League with a 3-0 victory at home to Zenit St. Petersburg, was keen to add another positive result against Famalicão. The Eagles took the lead through Carlos Vinícius six minutes before
the break and Pizzi added a second three minutes after the restart. Pizzi
was once again on target a quarter-of-an-hour later, juggling the ball before finding the back of the net with yet another left-footed volley. Caio Lucas grabbed the fourth cutting in from the left before driving a low shot past the goalkeeper.
Porto were looking to kick-start their bid for the league title against Tondela after the previous week’s draw away at Belenenses. Jesús Corona’s cross had Tiquinho Soares angling a header into the far-post in the tenth minute, giving Porto the start they were craving for in front of their home crowd.
Soares got his second on the half-hour mark and Otávio made it 3-0 six minutes after the interval.
Sporting have struggled in the early part of the season but now find themselves in third place, albeit thirteen points behind leaders and arch-rivals Benfica, after winning 4-0 against Santa Clara thanks to goals from Luiz Phellype (2), Yannick Bolasie and Bruno Fernandes.
SC Portimonense drew 1-1 at home to Rio Ave, coming from behind courtesy of a Jádson strike and despite being down to ten men. Portimonense are at home to Sporting on Saturday at the Municipal Stadium, kick-off 5pm.