The frenchman was signed by FC Porto from Marseille last July for 20 million euros. Stoke manager Mark Hughes said of the club‘s record signing, “He is a good young player, with power and has a good range of passing. He will come in and add to the quality we have already got”.
Primeira Liga leaders Sporting have brought in Sebastián Coates from Sunderland to bolster their suspect defence. The tall central defender is on loan until the end of the season with the option to buy at five million euros. Another major story to break at the start of the week was José Mourinho and Luis Figo’s support for Gianni Infantino in his quest to become president of FIFA.
At a press conference, held at Wembley Stadium, the current general secretary of UEFA unveiled an action plan for his first three months in office; if elected. Coach Fabio Capello and former players Fernando Hierro, Roberto Carlos, Diego Forlan and Clarence Seedorf also added their support to the candidacy of Gianni Inantino.
The Italian-Swiss is in the running for the presidency of FIFA together with the Jordanian Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim of Bahrain, Al Khalifa and the South African Tokyo Sexwale. On the pitch Sporting Lisbon struggled to overcome lowly Académica whilst Benfica had a comfortable win away at Moreirense and FC Porto came out on top against Estoril despite an early setback.
Sporting fans welcomed Académica to the Alvalade knowing that the team from Coimbra had clocked up just four wins this campaign with a goal difference of minus sixteen! However, Jorge Jesus’ men were made to work hard for their victory with the visitors taking a surprise ninth minute lead through Soares. The Lions drew level on thirty minutes when Silva cut inside from the left and fired a powerful shot across Trigueira and in off the far post.
A couple of minutes before the break and Sporting were in front when former Fulham striker Bryan Ruiz had the simplest of chances from Carlos Mané’s low cross. Thirteen minutes after the interval and the unthinkable happened; Académica drew level through a Ewerton own goal. With ten minutes remaining Aderlan saw red for Académica, a second yellow card for bringing down Gelson just outside the box. With their numerical advantage Sporting pressed forward and when Montero met João Pereira’s cross from the right to guide the ball past Trigueira it was game over. The 3-2 win keeps Sporting two points clear of Lisbon rivals Benfica. The Eagles had their second easy win within a few days against struggling Moreirense. After beating them 6-1 in the League Cup they ran in four in the league match thanks to two from Jonas (16' & 67’), Miroglou (43’) and Nico Gaitán (75’). The home side netted a consolation goal in stoppage time through Medeiros to make the final score 1-4.
A large and vocal visiting contingent from Porto travelled to Estoril but were shocked into silence as the home side scored in the fourth minute when Brazilian centre-half Diego Carlos rose highest to out jump Bruno Martins Indi and powerfully head home a corner. The Dragões levelled matters courtesy of Cameroon striker Aboubakar and on the half-hour mark took the lead when Danilo Pereira headed home Layún’s corner. Porto finally killed off the game ten minutes from time when Corona shot from just inside the box.
The ball was parried by keeper Kieszek but fell kindly to André André who slid the ball home to make it 3-1. Porto remain in third place, three points behind Benfica, and five adrift of leaders Sporting.