Sporting regained top spot they lost to FC Porto after losing against União da Madeira three weeks ago whilst it was Porto’s first defeat for nearly a year.
FC Porto were much changed from their Taça da Liga defeat to Marítimo but fielded the same starting line-up that beat Académica in the last round of league fixtures.
Sporting started the stronger and not surprisingly took the lead in the twenty-seventh minute.
Jefferson whipped in a free-kick and Islam Slimani was left unmarked as he powered a header past Iker Casillas to put Sporting in the driving seat.
The Lions’ goal seemed to spur the visitors into action and Vincent Aboubakar had a great opportunity to level matters for Porto but the Cameroonian was thwarted by a fantastic save from Rui Patrício.
FC Porto’s best period of the game came in the fifteen minutes after the break when they put more pressure on Jorge Jesus’ side.
Aboubakar, Yacine Brahimi and Jesús Corona were guilty of failing to make the final ball count as Sporting defender Naldo was in outstanding form.
The introduction of the speedy Gelson Martins caused FC Porto further problems and Islam Slimani should have doubled his tally when he headed João Mário’s cross against the bar.
Bryan Ruiz tried converting from the rebound from long range but Casillas made the stop. The woodwork again came to Porto’s rescue in the 70th minute when Adrien Silva’s drive from outside the box hit the inside of the post.
Sporting sealed the victory five minutes from time when Bryan Ruiz placed a fantastic pass through the Porto defence for Islam Slimani to make it 2-0.
Minutes later Maxi Pereira should have been sent-off for elbowing Naldo in the face but the Uruguayan, as he so often seems to do, managed to escape punishment.
This victory demonstrates just how much has changed in Portuguese football since Cristian Tello dismantled Sporting back in March of last season.
Sporting have a tough test in their next two games as they face fifth placed Setúbal and fourth place SC Braga who drew 1-1 at the weekend.
Shock of the day was bottom club Tondela picking up only their second win of the season with a 3-2 win at Rio Ave.
In the Segunda Liga, SC Portimonense continued their promotion push with a 2-0 home win against Varzim thanks to second-half goals from Pires and Jadson.
SC Farense continued their poor run with a 2-0 home defeat by Gil Vicente whilst SC Olhanense returned pointless from their 3500kms round trip to the Azores.
Thirty Olhanense fans made the trip only to see their team lose 1-0 against Santa Clara when Hugo Santos slotted home a free-kick five minutes from time.