Liga Sagres: Benfica 5 Rio Ave 1

Benfica moved three points clear of Porto on top of Liga Sagres on Friday with a 5-1 home thumping of Rio Ave.

It was the visitors who struck first at the Estadio da Luz, silencing the home supporters with a goal from Ghanaian striker Christian Atsu after 25 minutes.

But that was where the joy ended for Rio Ave, with a penalty from Oscar Cardozo plus goals from Spanish winger Nolito and Javier Saviola putting them 3-1 up at the interval.

Three minutes into the second half it was 4-1 when Argentine centre back Ezequiel Garay scored and when Nolito added his second at the 72-minute mark there was no way back for the visitors.

The win moved Benfica three points ahead of Porto in the Liga Sagres standings, but Porto have a game in hand and host Maritimo on Saturday