LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Joao Moutinho, Liedson, Simon Vukcevic and Gladstone all scored to give third-place Sporting a 4-1 win over Naval in the Portuguese league on Sunday.
Sporting, the Lisbon-based club, which is unbeaten at home at Jose Alvalade stadium in league play this season, moved to seven points behind leader FC Porto.
Moutinho rifled Sporting’s opening goal in the ninth minute after a pass by Marat Izmailov, with Naval equalizing 18 minutes later through Diego’s header.
Liedson restored Sporting’s lead with a powerful drive in the 61st minute.
Naval goalkeeper Pedro Taborda was ejected for a foul on Liedson in the penalty area in the 67th minute. Replacement goalkeeper Wilson Junior saved Moutinho’s spot kick.
Substitute Vukcevic extended the lead in the 85th minute from close range and Gladstone, another substitute, sealed the win in injury time.
Other ninth-round results were: Boavista 3, Setubal 3; Academica 3, Amadora 3; and Leiria 1, Nacional 3.
Porto has 25 points, while SL Benfica has 19 and Sporting 18. Setubal and Guimaraes follow with 15. Guimaraes visits Maritimo on Monday.
On Friday, Porto lost its perfect record with a 1-1 draw against visiting Belenenses. Benfica won 2-1 at Pacos Ferreira on Saturday, while Leixoes downed Braga 3-0.
Setubal remained unbeaten this season after a lively encounter at Boavista.
The home team took a two-goal lead through Fleurival and Jorge Ribeiro by the 25th minute, with Setubal’s Claudio Pitbull reducing the deficit right before the interval.
Goals by Auri and substitute Edinho early in the second half then gave Setubal the lead only for Marcelao to complete the scoring in the 70th minute.
Academica and Amadora also shared six goals in a match in which Lito scored a hat-trick for the home team.
The striker netted in the 24th, 47th and 58th minutes, with Mauricio, Anselmo and Wagnao replying in the 36th, 61st and 89th.
Last-placed Leiria remained winless this season after a defeat to Nacional.
Juliano opening the scoring in the seventh minute for the visitors, with Juninho and Fellype Gabriel adding further goals after halftime.
Paulo Cesar scored Leiria’s consolation goal in the final minute.