Dragões defeat Académica 3-0

Os Dragões opened a four point lead in the Liga race over Sporting with a 3-0 defeat of Académica in Coimbra on Sunday evening.

Porto displayed early control of the match, albeit without the required finishing. Fifteen minutes in Hulk's perfect cross for the left into the box was headed just wide by Lisandro López. Only three minutes later frustration built as Cristian Rodríguez was lead along only to be denied by Académica 'keeper Boris Peškovič. Ten minutes later a Cristian Rodríguez header, via Rolando's long ball was sent over the 'keeper and drifted wide. With Académica to break down, the Azuis e brancos finally found a way through three minutes before the hour as Mariano González free-kick into the box was headed-in by Rolando. Only two minutes later Lisandro López was brought down in the box by Boris Peškovič and the spot was pointed to. Deciding to take the penalty himself, the striker calmly struck the ball into the back of the net to give Porto the 2-0 lead. After Helton made a brilliant save on Éder with eleven minutes remaining, Mariano González made it 3-0 in the third minute of added time as he turned in Hulk's cross from the six-yard box.

Porto returns to play next Sunday against Vitória de Setúbal.