Liga Sagres wrap: Porto still undefeated

Porto retained their 11-point lead in the Liga Sagres with a 1-0 win at home to Rio Ave, while Academica and Beira-Mar drew 3-3.

Wide midfielder Silvestre Varela notched the winner for Porto in just the sixth minute at the Estadio Dragao.

Rio Ave finished the match with 10 men after Brazilian midfielder Jeferson was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 82nd minute.

Porto’s win maintains their considerable lead at the top of the table and kept their unbeaten record this season intact.

They also have a game in hand over second-placed Benfica.

Rio Ave are third from bottom, just four points clear of the relegation places.

Benfica recorded a 2-0 victory over Vitoria Setubal as they continue the unenviable task of trying to haul in runaway leaders Porto.

Nicolas Gaitan, capped three times for Argentina, opened the scoring for Benfica in the 45th minute at Estadio do Bonfim and compatriot Franco Jara made sure of the win when he struck 12 minutes from time.

Vitoria’s third loss in their last five matches leaves them 13th, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Academica de Coimbra twice gave away the lead to draw 3-3 in a rollercoaster encounter with Beira-Mar.

Diogo Gomes put hosts Academica ahead six minutes in at Estadio Cidade de Coimbra but Libyan midfielder Djamal Bindi levelled for Beira-Mar.

Artur put the visitors 2-1 up four minutes into the second half.

Senegalese forward Modou Sougou equalised for Academica and Ghana international David Addy restored their lead in the 78th minute.

Not to be denied, Beira-Mar levelled again through Brazilian Leandro Martins with eight minutes remaining.

Elsewhere, goals from Carlos Fernandes and Paulo Sergio gave Olhanense a 2-0 win away to Uniao de Leiria

Goal-scorer Sergio was later sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the 72nd minute.

Five minutes later, his Brazilian namesake Paulo Sergio was also sent off for a second yellow.

Nelson Oliveira struck with three minutes remaining to give Pacos de Ferreira a 1-0 win away to struggling Portimonense, while fourth-placed Vitoria Guimaraes were held 0-0 at home to Nacional.