Jorge Jesus' pre-match press conference ahead of Moreirense

While accepting that his team is flying high right now following Thursday's Europa League win, Jorge Jesus cautioned to the danger posed by the visiting Moreirence this Sunday.

“It is another game on top of a midweek game for us. The team is feeling good, because winning if of course the best remedy. The lads are on a high right now and tomorrow will be business as usual for us: a defensively oriented team, who have already taken points off one of our competitors. It will be difficult to find space as it always is and we will see is we have the capacity going forward to score", opened the Alvalade boss, adding: “Sometimes the games you would think are easier are actually harder. You just can't predict it and if we did then we would all be bet. Our league is really competitive, but all that matters is that we defend first place, regardless of who we play against."

Revealing that Ewerton will be included in the squad, Jesus highlighted that consistency will be the key in the run at the end of the season: "What determines the league are the last matches of the season, that is where the winner is decided. Of course to get to the end of the season with a chance you have to win now. Right now we are in first and the squad is feeling really confident. We deserve to be in first and now we want to defend that position."

To finish, the Sporting coach responded to a question on what is the best squad he has worked with to date, as well as Thursday's Europa League win against Besiktas.

“The situation here at Sporting is new for me and for the players. Everyone is really excited about what we are doing, but we have to carry on growing and I believe that we will be even better in the second half of the season. The players have shown a great level of intelligence and it has been a pleasant surprise. With my way of training, intelligence is really important. The way we work needs the players to make use of different resources beyond just simple quality. I honestly am really surprised at how far we have come in such a short time."

“(Besiktas) was a really important game for us in the Europa League and I didn't think we would keep our cool the way we did. If we can have the stadium tomorrow the way it was on Thursday, it would be the best way to help the team win."

Sporting-Moreirense will get underway on Sunday the 13th of December at 18h15, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Jorge Jesus on his side's win in Estádio dos Barreiros

Speaking in a flash interview, Jorge Jesus proved satisfied with his side's win in Madeira this weekend.

“Marítimo are strong and they showed that today. They are a well worked team both technically and tactically. They are one of the hardest teams in the league, especially here in Estádio dos Barreiros. We knew it would be a hard game and we had to be really competitive. We had to take our chances and it is really important to score first against teams like this. We played like a team, we defended well and that gives confidence. FC Porto had already drawn here this season, so in theory we have won two points that our competition didn't", said the Sporting coach at the final whistle.

With the season turning into a tantalising race for top spot going into the Christmas break, Jesus noted his surprise with his side's campaign fo far. "Sporting are in first and we want to defend that. We didn't expect to be, in fact we expected to be behind Benfica and FC Porto, but we are in front and we want to stay there. The pressure of our rivals winning didn't get to the lads and we just have to focus on our own games, which is what we did. It wasn't a pretty game, but we have to use our strengths and that is what we are doing."

Adrien on Sporting's win against Marítimo

The Alvalade skipper scored a crucial goal in Madeira this weekend, securing a typically difficult three points from Marítimo.

“We knew that this trip is always really hard, but we held out and we controlled the game. We got our reward in the end. We could have lost first place, but that didn't happen and the team did well. We showed our character and we trusted in ourselves. We got the result we wanted and we will carry on", said Adrien at the final whistle, adding: "This is a team that does its best, that works hard and that makes sacrifices to be at the top of the league."

Adrien strike and Rui Patrício heroics guarantee three points in Madeira

A 53rd minute strike from Adrien helped Sporting to an important three points in Madeira this weekend, in a 1-0 win against Marítimo.

In search of a sixth consecutive league win and also a sixth against Marítimo, Sporting started the encounter well, but it became quickly apparent that the afternoon's task would be no easy one. To their credit, the evening's hosts were willing to get forward and battled hard for possession. Marega started a good move for Marítimo down the right, before Sporting responded with two chances in the first ten minutes. First it was Gelson Martins bursting down the flank and setting up João Mário in the box, but the midfielder was unable to keep his shot on target. Next Montero threatened after taking advantage of a defensive mistake, but the Colombian's effort finished wide of the mark.

The midfield battle for control sapped much of the quality out of the encounter, with passes going astray for both sides. Well orchestrated pressure by the hosts also kept Sporting on a defensive footing. A move down the right in the 14th minute finished with a corner for Marítimo picking ou Marega completely isolated at the far post, but a brilliant stop by Rui Patrício kept the scores blank. A couple of minutes later Marítimo had another dangerous corner, but Fransérgio's header was off target.

Sporting responded in kind and it wasn't long before the pressure began punching gaps in the Marítimo lines. João Mário broke away down the right and dragged a cross back for Adrien, who picked out Bryan Ruiz at the edge of the box. The Costa Rican drove a powerful shot goalwards, but Salin defended and the sides went in deadlocked at the break.

The interval worked wondered for Jorge Jesus' side, who come out fighting and were soon rewarded for their persistence. A brilliant bit of teamwork down the right saw João Pereira link up with Bryan Ruiz, before the Costa Rican released João Mário who skillfully found space and set up an unstoppable strike from Adrien.

Sporting kept up the pressure and Gelson Martins continued to rain down havoc on the Marítimo defence, himself firing a shot over the bar in the 58th minute. Some calculated counters from the hosts could well have done damage, but some mature defending by the team from Alvalade kept chances to a minimum. With the clock ticking down, their was still time for Rui Patrício to pull off one of his usually heroic saved and ensure that the three points returned to continental Portugal.

Jorge Jesus shares his thoughts on the weekend's trip to Madeira

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press on Friday afternoon, ahead of his side's visit to Madeira to take on Marítimo, where FC Porto has already dropped points this season.

“We are expecting a game typical of this league, on a difficult pitch against a team where one of our rivals has already drawn. It will be a hard game against a team that will want to win points against a Sporting that doesn't want to lose any in Barreiros. We will see if we are capable of overcoming what they will throw at us, but I am sure that we are", opened Jorge Jesus, adding: "Marítimo are always a hard team to face away. They always have a competitive side and this year is no different. We will have to be careful against a team that are really aggressive."

Speaking more specifically about his team and faced with the suspension of Slimani, Jesus commented: "Strategically Slimani being out doesn't change much, although he is different to our other forwards. We have had a few matchday without him, like in Moscow. Jefferson is back in the squad and we will see how he is when we get to Madeira. Teo has a little bit of an injury and it isn't easy to say 100% what is wrong, but he will adjust with him.”

To finish, Jorge Jesus touched on the legal process being instigated by Benfica: "I don't really want to speak about that. What matters is to focus on what is happening right now and Sporting's future. When I have to speak about our rivals it is when we face them on the pitch, which we have already three times this season."

Marítimo-Sporting will kick-off at 20h45 on the 5th of December, in Estádio do Marítimo, Barreiros.

Rui Costa for Liga NOS matchday 12

Rui Costa, 39, from the Porto Football Association, has been named to take charge of Liga NOS matchday 12, between Sporting and Marítimo.

This will be the second time Rui Costa has officiated over a Sporting match this season, following the win against V. Guimarães earlier this season.

Marítimo-Sporting will get underway at 20h45 on Saturday the 5th of December, in Estádio do Marítimo, Barreiros (Funchal).

Matches against Besiktas, Moreirense and FC Porto

Tickets for Besiktas, Moreirense and FC Porto will go on sale this week as follows:

Sporting – Besiktas

STAND A
Central – 25€ for Members and 35€ for fans
Lateral – 20€ for Members and 30€ for fans
Goal End – 15€ for Members and 25€ for fans

STAND B
Central – 20€ for Members and 30€ for fans
Lateral – 15€ for Members and 20€ for fans
Goal End – 10€ for Members and 15€ for fans
Under-23/Senior – Not available
Under-11 – Not available

Sporting - Moreirense

STAND A
Central – 20€ for Members and 30€ for fans
Lateral – 15€ for Members and 25€ for fans
Goal End – 10€ for Members and 20€ for fans

STAND B
Central – 15€ for Members and 20€ for fans
Lateral – 10€ for Members and 15€ for fans
Goal End – 7€ for Members and 12€ for fans
Under-23/ Senior – 7€ for Members
Under-11 – 3.5 for Members

Sporting - FC Porto

STAND A
Central – 35€ for Members and 60€ for fans
Lateral – 30€ for Members and 50€ for fans
Goal End – 20€ for Members and 35€ for fans

STAND B
Central – 25€ for Members and 45€ for fans
Lateral – 20€ for Members and 35€ for fans
Goal End – 15€ for Members and 25€ for fans
Under-23/ Senior – Not available
Under-11 – Not available

SALES POINTS

Jorge Jesus praises his players' attitude

Jorge Jesus proved understandably happy with his side's fighting spirit in Monday's last-gasp 1-0 win over Belenenses this Monday night.

“We scored right at the end, but we had done more than enough to deserve it. We suffered, but that makes it taste that little bit sweeter", said the Alvalade boss in a flash interview at the final whistle, adding: "We played almost the entire match in the opposition half and they didn't cause us any problems. Rui Patrício didn't make a single save. In the second-half, tiredness and the substitutions brought a different dynamic, but we went looking for the win and we were rewarded with a clear penalty."

William highlights his team's battling spirit

William Carvalho netted a decisive penalty in Sporting's hard-earned win over Belenenses this Monday evening. Speaking with the press at the final whistle, the Alvalade midfielder highlighted his team's persistence.

“It was a hard game, because Belenenses defended well. When you play against eleven players who all pack into their own half it is tough, but we did well and Belenenses didn't have any chances", opened William, going on to comment on the penalty decision: "From what I saw, it looked like Tonel touched the ball with his hand."

While Sporting have tallied 29 from a possible 33 points so far this season, William was keen to keep his side's feet firmly on the ground. "There is still a lot of football to play and we just have to focus on ourselves. FC Porto and Benfica have great sides", added the stand-in skipper, before finishing on how his contract talks are progressing: "I have spoken with the president and I hope to see everything sorted as soon as possible. It will be easy."

Sporting battle to victory over Belenenses with a late penalty

Sporting battled to another three points this Monday night, beating Belenenses 1-0 on Liga NOS matchday 11. Jorge Jesus' side dominated from start to finish, but it took a penalty in added-time to finally define to the result.

Bouyed by a thunderous performance in the Europa Leauge in Moscow last Thursday and encouraged by an enthusiastic crowd, the team from Alvalade soon had Belenenses on the back foot. After just four minutes Montero picked out Bryan Ruiz high up the pitch for the Costa Rican to find a yard of space and put a ball across the edge of the box, but Adrien's shot was blocked by the visiting defence. Montero was again the instigator in the next move forward, this time finding Slimani, but the Algerian was beaten to the ball by the on rushing Hugo Ventura.

Belenenses could do little but bunker down under the Alvalade attacking display and on 18 minutes Montero came close to opening the scoring, when the Colombian broke away from his marker at the edge of the box to fire a shot towards goal that Hugo Ventura turned away with an outstretched save.

Although surely an emotional return to Alvalade for Ricardo Sá Pinto, the Sporting legend did a fine job of setting his team out defensively. While Jesus' side continued to move the ball around freely, a penetrating pass in the final third was lacking and it wasn't long before efforts from range began to gain a certain appeal. William Carvalho fired one over in the 36th minute, before Bryan Ruiz's genius saw the Alvalade forward ghost past various defenders and get a shot away that was turned for a corner by the Belenenses keeper.

The second-half got underway with another Sporting attempt on goal, this time with Slimani uncharacteristically missing the target with a header. The Alvalade stands were craving a goal, but neither Montero or Jonathan Silva were able to find the back of the net. With impatience starting to creep in, Hugo Ventura was finally shown a yellow card for taking an excessive amount of time to put the ball back into play.

Again Montero and Jonathan Silva created chances to take a lead, this time with the Argentinean picking out Montero with a spraying pass that the Colombian was unable to convert on .

Jesus introduced Gelson Martins and Matheus Pereira into the action and the game continued one-way, but a goal was proving near impossible to come by. Beneneses were completely unable to materialise any sort of danger for Rui Patrício's goal, but their well organised defensive style kept them in with a chance of some unlikely points as the clock ticked over. On 75 minutes Matheus Pereira burst into the box, but his shot ended up in the wrong side of the side netting.

On 82 minutes Belenenses had possibly their best chance of the ninety, when Luís Leal instigated a counter-attacking move, but the final product ended up wide of Rui Patrício's goal. Two minutes later the recently introduced Tanaka found Slimani, but the Algerian's header lacked power and was smothered by Hugo Ventura.

With dropped points looking all but inevitable, the evening's referee found time to show yellow to Slimani and see him suspended as a result from the next match. However, the best certainly was kept until last, when Tonel bafflingly cut out a ball with his hand to award Sporting a penalty that William Carvalho calmly slotted to seal the win.