Sporting win to keep up pressure on leaders Porto
LISBON, March 7 (Reuters) - Two early goals in two minutes gave second-placed Sporting a 2-0 away win over Beira Mar late on Saturday to keep the pressure on league leaders Porto.
The champions, who meet Manchester United in the second leg of their Champions League first knockout round tie on Tuesday, top the table with 65 points, seven ahead of Sporting and 17 clear of third-placed Benfica who play Gil Vicente on Sunday.
Sporting took the lead on nine minutes from a penalty by captain Pedro Barbosa after Beira Mar defender Toni Lopes fouled Brazilian striker Liedson Muniz.
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Two minutes later Brazilian midfielder Fabio Rochemback headed the ball in from close range.
The last 15 minutes were played in dense fog. Beira Mar ended with 10 men after midfielder Pedro Levato was sent off for a foul on Sporting striker Luis Lourenco in injury time.
Meanwhile, Boavista fired their Bolivian coach Erwin Sanchez, who as a player helped Oporto's second club to win its only league title in 2001. Boavista lie sixth in the standings.
Two goals from South African striker Benni McCarthy helped Porto cruise to a 4-1 win over Belenenses on Friday.
Defender Ricardo Costa and playmaker Deco Souza completed the rout for Porto, the only unbeaten team in the league after 25 matches.
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