Benfica routs Guimaraes to go four points clear

Guimaraes, Portugal – Benfica moved four points clear at the top of the Portuguese Liga on Sunday after posting a 4-0 thrashing of Guimaraes.

Benfica remains unbeaten in 23 matches this season and got off to a flying start in the 38th minute on Sunday when Oscar Cardozo converted a penalty kick for the first of several tallies on the day for the league leaders.

After the break, Kanu was sent off for Guimaraes in the 61st minute and just moments later Benfica took advantage of having the extra man when Ezequiel Garay found the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Eduardo Salvio scored in the 83rd minute and Rodrigo finished off the rout with Benfica's fourth of the match in stoppage time to secure the three points. Guimaraes, meanwhile, remains in sixth place with 30 points from 23 matches this campaign.

Also in the Portuguese Liga on Sunday, James Rodriguez and Hyun Jun Suk exchanged first-half goals as FC Porto and Maritimo played to a 1-1 draw, while Filipe Miguel Goncalves scored the only goal of the match in a 1-0 victory for Moreirense against Rio Ave.

Lica and Carlos Eduardo each netted a first-half goal for Estoril in a 2-0 victory over Academica, while Beira Mar and Nacional battled to a 2-2 stalemate.

Saturday's action saw Manuel Jose Vieira score a first-half double in a 2-1 win for Pacos Ferreira over Olhanense, while Sporting Lisbon notched a 2-1 decision over Setubal.

Hugo Viana netted a brace on Friday in a 3-1 win for Braga against Gil Vicente.