Liga Sagres wrap: Lisbon on the up

Sporting Lisbon have returned to familiar territory, with a 3-1 win over Portimonense on Sunday lifting them to third on the Liga Sagres table.

Much-travelled striker Helder Postiga – who made a goalscoring return to the national team in November – scored his second league goal and sixth in all competitions this season in the 23rd minute to get the ball rolling for Sporting, capitalising the home team’s inability to clear the ball from the penalty area.

Portimonense drew level 15 minutes later through frontman Pires, but former Portugal midfielder Maniche had but the Lisbon side back in front shortly before the break with an acrobatic volley.

Andre Santos made it 3-1 moments before the half-time whistle, with the promising midfielder netting his first goal for the club through a deflected strike from the edge of the box.

The win moved Sporting to third and five points behind second-placed Benfica, while Portimonense remain mired at second from bottom and four points from safety.

The 2010/11 campaign has been billed as a rebuilding one for Portuguese powerhouse Sporting, with financial concerns and last season’s fourth-placed finish – at 28 points behind winners Benfica – lowering expectations.

While Sporting were able to add to their squad after the departures of key players Joao Moutinho and Miguel Veloso, it has been experienced campaigners Maniche, Leidson, Postiga and Pedro Mendes who have helped the proud club revive their season.

The club has lost just once in the league since their Lisbon derby defeat to Benfica on September 19, and would now be targeting their bitter rivals’ spot in second.

In Sunday’s earlier game, Rio Ave and Beira-Mar shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Estadio do Rio Ave.

The home side took a 48th-minute lead through striker Yazalde’s third goal of the season, only to see it cancelled out by Brazilian frontman Leandro Tatu.

Beira-Mar move to ninth as a consequence, with Rio Ave remaining in 12th.