Liga Sagres wrap: Sporting keep leaders Porto to draw

Liga Sagres leaders Porto were held to a 1-1 draw away by fierce rivals Sporting Lisbon on Saturday.

Sitting in fourth place, Sporting came to play against a Porto side who began the round 10 points clear of second-placed Guimaraes, and they took the lead through a Jaime Valdes goal seven minutes before half-time.

Porto equalised after 57 minutes thanks to a Radamel Falcao goal that ensured the points were shared in a spiteful match which saw nine bookings, while Porto’s Brazilian defender Maicon was sent off with 20 minutes to play.

Elsewhere, Guimaraes failed to make up any ground on the runaway leaders after suffering a 2-0 loss away to Maritimo.

Brazilian striker Kleber opened the scoring with a penalty after 12 minutes, while Baba Diawara made it 2-0 on 33 minutes to help Maritimo move clear of the relegation zone.

And 11th-placed Pacos de Ferreira had a 22nd-minute strike from Andre Leao to thank for their 1-0 win at home over Olhanense.