Lisbon, Portugal (SportsNetwork.com) - Three goals in the opening 40 minutes, including two from Jackson Martinez, led FC Porto to a 3-1 home win over Academica to keep Porto six points clear of fourth-place Estoril.
Martinez got things going early as he fired Porto in front inside of four minutes, with Nabil Ghilas scoring his first league goal of the season midway through the opening half.
The lead swelled to 3-0 in the 40th minute when Martinez converted a penalty kick for his league-leading 18th goal of the campaign, leaving Academica with little hope in the second half.
A goal from Marcos Paulo in the 52nd minute handed the visitors a bit of hope, but it was all they could muster as the team remains six points from a Europa League place.
Portuguese Liga leaders Benfica cruised to a 4-0 victory over Rio Ave, while second-place Sporting Lisbon notched a 3-1 win at Pacos Ferreira behind goals from William Carvalho, Marcos Rojo and Adrien Silva.
Estoril kept pace with Porto in the race for third place as Bruno Correia scored twice in a 3-1 victory at Guimaraes.
Braga's hopes of securing a place in Europe next season were helped with goals from Raul Rusescu and Piqueti Brito in the final six minutes of a 2-0 win at Olhanense.
Belenenses improved its survival chances with a 24th-minute goal from Miguel Rosa in a 1-0 win at Gil Vicente, Derley's 14th league goal of the season was enough to give Maritimo a 1-0 triumph over Arouca, and Setubal topped Nacional, 3-0, with a pair of goals from Rafael Martins in the opening 40 minutes.
