The team continue their flawless Liga Portugal run against CF Estrela da Amadora

Sporting CP made it ten wins from ten games in Liga Portugal, with a 5-1 Friday night win at the Estádio José Alvalade over CF Estrela da Amadora 5-1. A maiden goal from Maxi Araujo and four strikes from the unstoppable Viktor Gyökeres earned the win over the relegation strugglers.

Just three days after their victory over CD Nacional in the Taça da Liga, and following the announcement that coach Rúben Amorim will leave for Manchester United midway through this month, a heavily rotated first XI was named for the game. Only Gonçalo Inácio, Morten Hjulmand and Maxi Araújo repeated their starting roles, accompanied this time around by Franco Israel, Geovany Quenda, Zeno Debast, Ousmane Diomande, Daniel Bragança, Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves and Viktor Gyökeres. Eduardo Quaresma remained out due to injury and, in turn, youngster João Simões came into the squad.

The first opportunity of the game went Sporting CP's way, and a rebound off Bragança flew over goalkeeper Bruno Brígido and almost ended up in the back of the net. Immediately afterwards, at the other end, a decisive intervention by Inácio prevented a certain goal from CF Estrela da Amadora.

After an 11th minute of loud applause throughout the stadium for Sporting CP's injured no.11, Nuno Santos, little by little Sporting CP found their usual linkups, albeit without the necessary precision in the last third.

That accuracy finally came after a header from Inácio into the sidnetting from a corner, which was the final warning before Gyökeres opened the scoring, before the 20th minute was out. He took the ball off a rebound and beat the goalkeeper in a one-on-one, finding the net against CF Estrela da Amadora for the first time.

Moments later, the away team had a double opportunity, but were punished by the increased efficiency of Sporting CP and, in particular, of Gyökeres.

After half an hour of play, Pedro Gonçalves stole the ball near the opposition area and Trincão picked out Sporting CP's No. 9, who once again smashed the ball past goalkeeper Rúben Brígido.

With the score at 2-0, the pace of the game not only didn't slow down but also increased. CF Estrela da Amadora continued to look very lively, and responded by reducing the deficit less than five minutes later, through Rodrigo Pinho. It came off after a huge save from Franco Israel, who could do nothing to keep out the rebound, as Sporting conceded for the first time in seven league games.

However, the frenzy of the first half was extended, and with it came further goals. A run by Gyökeres resulted in a shot by Gonçalves that was saved, then CF Estrela da Amadora conceded a penalty.

Gyökeres blasted the ball into the net from the spot kick, and Sporting CP moved 3-1 clear.

Israel made another save to close out the opening 45 minutes, keeping his side comfortably ahead.

For the second half, Amorim took off Inácio to bring on Jeremiah St. Juste. Upon the restart, a long shot from Debast and what was almost an own goal by the opposition defence kept the action going.

Then, another loud ovation was heard from the stands, this time dedicated to an opposition player with a link to Sporting CP. Nani, who came up through the youth system at the club, came on for the away team.

Rodrigo Pinho and CF Estrela da Amadora had a goal disallowed for handball, whilst an effort from distance by Trincão kept the goalkeeper on his toes.

The fourth goal for Sporting CP came just before the 70th minute. Gyökeres was played through, and he turned a defender and coolly finished off to take the score to 4-1.

The final goal came from Maxi Araújo, who entered the area and, with a perfect cross-shot, scored for the first time for Sporting CP.

The 5-1 win keeps the side top of the table, and leaves them one victory away from equaling the club's best ever start in Liga Portugal- achieved in 1990/91 under Marinho Peres.

On the next matchday they will go to SC Braga, but before that they play Manchester City at home on Tuesday in the Champions League.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GR], Geovany Quenda, Zeno Debast (Matheus Reis, 73'), Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio (Jeremiah St. Juste, 46'), Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C] (Hidemasa Morita, 68 '), Daniel Bragança, Francisco Trincão (Conrad Harder, 80'), Pedro Gonçalves (Marcus Edwards, 73') and Viktor Gyökeres.