Sporting dominate in a match which saw four debuts

Sporting claimed a convincing 3-0 win against Moreirense this Saturday, to move clear at the top of Liga NOS ahead of a midweek Champions League visit to Madrid. The two matches may not appear immediately related, but Jorge Jesus' changes in the second-half made it clear that the Alvalade boss is looking to take a fresh side to the Spanish capital.

After wreaking havoc against FC Porto two weeks ago, Gelson once again showed just why he is becoming a regular feature, with another eye-catching performance down the wing. Bas Dost will of course be excused for taking time to settle in his first appearance in a green and white shirt, but the Dutchman did toast his debut with a goal of his own after the break.

It was Gelson who opened the scoring, with a darting run into the middle picked out by a pass from William for a well-controlled first touch and cool finish from close range.

Moreirense had actually started their spiral towards defeat five minutes earlier (22'), when Neto saw a yellow card for protesting a decision from the evening's official. Twelve minutes later, Neto went in hard on William and was shown a much deserved second booking and the resulting red card. Sporting did secure a first-half goal, but it was only after the break that Jesus' side really made the most of the numerical advantage.

Boosted by what was an evidently brilliant half-time intervention from Jorge Jesus, it was the Alvalade new recruits' turn to shine. Bas Dost came painfully close just a minute after the restart, but the giant striker would have to wait for his debut goal. First it was Campbell to open his account, when the Costa Rican found a yard of space with some fine movement and nodded in a brilliant floating cross from Alan Ruiz (52'). Five minutes later, Bost got his goal with some persistent work in the box.

Leading by three and playing against ten, Jesus' side oozed confidence and piled forward. Markovic (60'), Elias (67') and André (78') were also given run-outs, in what was a showing of the depth and quality of a new-look Sporting side ahead of what is sure to be an exciting visit to Madrid.