Sporting close in on Porto with 3-1 derby win
( 2004-01-05 11:00) (Agencies)
Sporting, boosted by two
penalties, moved to within two points of Portuguese league leaders Porto on
Sunday by beating Benfica 3-1 away in an ill-tempered Lisbon derby.
Benfica goalkeeper Jose Moreira brought down Brazilian striker Elpidio Silva
to concede a penalty, which was converted by compatriot Fabio Rochembak to put
Sporting ahead in the eighth minute.
Rochembak received a second yellow card and his marching orders shortly
before the break, but by then an unmarked Silva had made it 2-0 for Sporting
with a header after picking up a cross from captain Pedro Barbosa.
Brazilian defender Luisao narrowed Sporting's lead to 2-1 after the interval,
heading home from a free kick by team mate Arando Petit who had returned from a
three-month injury absence.
But Benfica defender Ricardo Rocha brought down Sporting striker Liedson in
injury time to give Sporting another penalty, which substitute striker Ricardo
Sa Pinto put away to seal the win for the visitors.
Rocha also picked up his second yellow card and became the second Benfica
player to be sent off, after defender Miguel Monteiro had also been expelled for
two bookable offences.
After Sunday's games, champions Porto still lead on 39 points with a game in
hand - which they play on Monday - followed by Sporting on 37 and Benfica on 33.
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