Football United

With FC Porto and Sporting Clube de Portugal playing on Monday, SL Benfica capitalised to extend their lead at the Portuguese SuperLiga summit to six points with a 2-0 win at Vitória FC, while Boavista FC and SC Braga were both held.

Veríssimo dismissal
Giovanni Trapattoni's side were never likely to struggle against a team seeking their first victory in eight matches and the task became easier on 27 minutes when Setúbal were reduced to ten men following Nélson Veríssimo's dismissal. Benfica were ahead by half-time, when Manuel Fernandes struck a powerful shot from long range.



Petit concern
Brazilian striker Geovanni effectively sealed the win with a second from a deflected shot just after the hour. However, the victory was tempered by the late substitution of midfield player Petit with suspected broken ribs. The win extends their lead to six points after Boavista and Braga were both forced to come from behind to salvage 1-1 draws.

V. Setúbal: Paulo Ribeiro; Auri, Veríssimo, Hugo Alcântara e Manuel José; Sandro, Ricardo Chaves e Bruno Ribeiro; Jorginho; Meyong e Bruno Moraes

Benfica: Quim; Miguel, Luisão, Ricardo Rocha e Manuel dos Santos; Petit e Manuel Fernandes; Geovanni, Nuno Assis e Simão; Azar Karadas

Goals: Manuel Fernandes (0-1); Geovanni 63´(0-2)

Portuguese SuperLiga

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Benfica 26 51
2. Braga 26 45
3. Boavista 26 45
4. Porto 25 45
5. Sporting 25 42