April 27, 2008 6:36 PM

SOURCE:
goal.com

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Superb Porto Thrash Guimarães

Vitória de Guimarães 0 - 5 FC Porto

An amazing second-half display from FC Porto was more than enough to see them overhaul Vitória de Guimarães, with Quaresma scoring a brace....

Guimarães came into the game as the only side with anything to fight for, but the Dragons were the first team to produce any danger. In the 6th minute, Raúl Meireles delivered a long ball from the left, but Lisandro López was unable to score as his header went wide of the right post.

Vitória de Guimarães began putting some pressure on FC Porto's shoulders, which forced them to do some mistakes early in the match and make fouls in their own half. In the 20th minute, Moreno almost broke the deadlock, but his powerful free-kick from 35 yards out was denied by Hélton's flying save.

The hosts were clearly the stronger side now; as FC Porto saw themselves unable to get out of their own half and reach Nilson's goal.

Lisandro López's presence up front was rarely noticeable as the Argentine often had to move back to help his team-mates, and it was Quaresma who created the most dangerous situations. In the 40th minute, Quaresma crossed from the left but Nilson was quick enough and grabbed the ball before it reached Lisandro López.

It was far from being an exciting first half and both teams returned to the dressing rooms without a single goal scored.

Porto emerged from the break looking stronger and it took only seven minutes for them to score. A free kick was taken by Lino, and Bruno Alves was faster than Flávio Meireles; reaching the ball, he planted a header past Nilson.

The visitors would find the net again seven minutes later. Quaresma, with an individual move from the left, dribbled past Andrezinho and his amazing right-foot effort found the top left corner of Guimarães' goal. TV footage showed Quaresma was in offside position as he kicked off the move, but the assistant referee signaled nothing.

The home side had a penalty claim on 62 minutes after a hand ball from Bolatti, but the referee quickly waved play on, saying it was accidental.

Guimarães were now mere spectators and they watched Quaresma fire in a third on 70 minutes, when he received the ball in the middle and, with far too much room in the penalty area, made no mistake with a strong finish.

Seven minutes later, Porto enlarged their lead when Ernesto Farías found the net after being put through by Adriano with a good backheel effort.

The hosts looked completely desolated, yet they would have to watch the champions score once again. Quaresma played Ernesto Farías through with a terrific ball, and the Argentine raced towards Nilson's goal, but spurned shooting in favour of cutting it across to Adriano, who slotted into an empty net.

Guimarães could have reduced the deficit in the 87th minute as Ghilas, with a well-struck shot from 18 yards out, almost score, but Hélton was there to keep a clean sheet.

A 5-0 win puts FC Porto 23 points clear at the top, while Vitória de Guimarães see Benfica and Sporting putting some pressure on the second place with only two games left to play.