Slick Sporting beat Boavista 3-0 at Alvalade
Sporting clinched their fourth straight league win in Lisbon tonight with a fluid display full of panache and attacking intent to overwhelm Boavista.
Goals from Nuno Santos, Salvador Agra (in his own net) and Paulinho gave the Lions a 3-0 win but the margin on the win could and should have been far greater as the home side created a plethora of chances throughout the 90 minutes earned and despised .
It was all different again for Sporting as Rúben Amorim made his now usual 4 or 5 changes to the starting line-up from the previous game. Goalkeeper Franco Israel came on for the injured Adán while Ousmane Diomande, Nuno Santos, Manuel Ugarte and Chermiti got the nod while Gonçalo Inácio, St Juste, Trincão and Paulinho made way.
For Boavista, Pedro Malheiro and Reggie Cannon were recalled in place of Sasso and Gorré.
one way street
Sporting were just a hair away from the lead in the opening minute, a Chermiti header clipping Rafael Bracali’s crossbar.
The early chance set the tone for a brilliant first half from the hosts, who swarmed across Boavista. Chermiti went just wide in the 13th minute, going wide of the goal from 10 yards out, but shortly afterwards Nuno Santos showed him how it’s done with a spectacular finish.
Another quick pass ripped through the Boavista defense and Santos fired in a bold Rabona shot from 15 yards out that went off the post and into the net.
There was no braking from Sporting, Chermiti missed another golden chance as he went through clean, Bracali spread well to save.
Sporting’s dominance was absolute and the only surprise was that it took so long to score again. Santos was back in the thick of it, his cross from the left finding his own net by the unlucky Agra, who was desperate to clear the ball. Halftime, 2-0 for Sporting.
Sporty 3:0 Boavista highlights
No slacking off from Sporting
After the break, the game didn’t change, Esgaio was unlucky not to score a spectacular goal. The right-back sliced in from the right and hit a huge flick with his left foot that slammed into the top of the bar.
The chances kept coming, Trincão failed to parry his shot when he was released by Edwards and then Nuno Santos missed terribly as he shot wildly high and wide in a one-on-one with the Boavista keeper.
A series of substitutions by both sides disrupted the flow of play, but Sporting ended the game in triumph. A first shot from Trincão flew inches wide before Paulinho completed the effort with a well-constructed goal.
Tanlongo found Esgaio with a long diagonal pass, the marauding full-back controlled the ball beautifully and rolled a perfect low cross down Paulinho’s run, who couldn’t miss.
Analysis: Esgaio exemplifies improved sentiment at Alvalade
What a difference a set of good results makes. Sporting have had an unforgettable season but have finally found consistency in recent weeks, Thursday’s spirited draw against Arsenal being a tangible example of a much more competitive side, more confident than in previous months.
Full-back Ricardo Esgaio serves as a microcosm of this renewed optimism sweeping through the club. The veteran was prone to errors in the first half of the season and was berated by the crowd, but he has turned around his form and was arguably man of the match tonight, defending diligently and attacking with purpose.
With the emergence of Ousmane Diomandé, St Juste finally appearing to have shaken off his injury spell, Pedro Gonçalves finding his mojo again and positive contributions from the likes of little players like Mateo Tanlongo and Franco Israel tonight, Rúben Amorim suddenly has options with everyone, who is willing and willing to contribute.
The turnaround has almost certainly come too late for any tangible reward in the form of silverware, barring an unlikely shock result against Arsenal on Thursday, but Sporting now appear to have a solid base to attack next season and should they maintain their form maintained , it’s not impossible to get back into the fight for a Champions League qualifying spot.
From Tom Kundertat the José Alvalade Stadium
Goals:
[1-0] Nuno Santos, 17′
[2-0] Salvador Agra (own goal), 44′
[3-0] Paulinho, 90′