Following their goalless draw against Belenenses in Lisbon, the former European Champions have slipped to fourth place behind SC Braga. Benfica maintained their five point cushion at the top of the Primeira Liga with a 3-0 victory at home against bottom club Moreirense.
Sporting remain in second after a nervous single goal win at Boavista.
Such is the concern with recent results, they are now seven points behind arch-rivals Benfica, that FC Porto president Pinto da Costa met with players and staff after the team was roundly whistled and booed off the pitch following their poor performance in the capital.
The fans also turned on manager Nuno Espírito Santo as a whirlwind of whistles and white handkerchiefs were directed at the beleaguered boss.
SC Braga took advantage to move into third place with a comprehensive 6-2 home win over Feirense with goals from Rui Fonte (2), Wilson Eduardo (2), Ricardo Horta and Hassan. Benfica dominated throughout against Moreirense with Pizzi scoring a brace either side of half-time and Raul adding the third in the dying minutes.
In a bad tempered game at the Estádio do Bessa, eight bookings and two red cards, Sporting Lisbon edged home against hosts Boavista, thanks to Dost’s seventh goal of the season midway through the first-half.