Sporting CP win 0-1 away to SC Farense

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to winning ways with a 0-1 away triumph against SC Farense, on Matchday 27th of the Liga NOS season. The only goal of the match was scored by Pedro Gonçalves, who struck for the team in the first half.

Coach Rúben Amorim was unable to occupy his spot in the dugout due to a 15-day suspension, but made several changes to his starting lineup that drew against FC Famalicão: Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis and Daniel Bragança came in for Luís Neto, Zouhair Feddal and Tiago Tomás. With that, there was also a modification in the formation, as João Palhinha, João Mário and Bragança joined the midfield, with Pedro Gonçalves accompanying Paulinho up top.

A typical intense tempo was employed by Sporting CP in the early stages, although SC Farense set out with a high pressing strategy that made it very difficult to build from the back. It was the home side who shot first, when Ryan Gauld struck over, but in response Gonçalves set free João Mário on the right; his cross in was pushed out for a corner by Beto.

In his pre-match press conference, Amorim had warned of SC Farense's threat from dead balls, and it was from a set piece that Jonatan Lucca headed just off target.

A flick on from Paulinho was latched onto by João Mário first time with his left foot, striking hard into the side netting, whilst a fantastic intervention by Antonio Adán -from a move that would have been ruled out for offside- demonstrated the even nature of the contest. Beto was also called into action soon after, when Sebastián Coates nodded Nuno Mendes' corner towards goal.

Finally, the persistence paid off, just before halftime. Following a corner kick, Pedro Porro crossed into the area, where Paulinho tried to cushion the ball for a teammate. One failed clearance from SC Farense later, and Gonçalves stepped in to convert for his 17th goal of the season. The league's top marksman made it 0-1, with a lead that they would take into the interval.

The excitement did not dip in an energetic opening salvo for the second half. Eduardo Mancha tested Adán and, in the 50th minute, Sporting CP again had a great chance from a three-on-two counterattack: Pedro Gonçalves served the ball up to Paulinho on the right and he tried to set up João Mário on the left, but the ball found its way out without reaching the midfielder.

Adán needed to be at his best when Pedro Henrique appeared in an excellent position and powered the ball towards goal, keeping out the effort with his latest unbelievable stop.

After a long range Gonçalves shot went wide, Sporting CP were denied by the club's one-time goalkeeper, Beto, as he pushed away a Paulinho effort.

SC Farense would have the ball in the net ten minutes from time, but the goal was ruled out for offside. They created some late danger through Mansilla that was met by Adán, avoiding what would have been a late equaliser for the home team.

With the final whistle, Sporting CP's victory was confirmed, as they remain Liga NOS leaders and ended a run of two consecutive draws.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha, João Mário (João Mário, 71'), Nuno Mendes, Daniel Bragança (Nuno Santos, 82'), Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho (Tiago Tomás, 82').