Artur’s mistake costs Benfica dearly in derby

LISBON (Reuters) – Portuguese champions Benfica were held to a 1-1 draw by neighbours Sporting Lisbon on Sunday after a terrible blunder by goalkeeper Artur. The Brazilian received a back pass under no real pressure in the 20th minute but cleared the ball straight to Andre Carillo, who recovered the ball, leaving Algerian striker Islam Slimani to head into an empty net. Nicolas Gaitan had put Benfica ahead with a neat exchange of passes down the right flank in the 12th minute. The Eagles, winners of a domestic treble last season, wasted numerous chances in the second half and dropped their first points of the season. Colombian striker Jackson Martinez scored twice in the final 10 minutes to cap another victory for Porto, who cruised to a 3-0 win over Moreirense. Spaniard Oliver Torres opened the scoring in the 71st minute and his compatriot Juan Quintero also missed a penalty in the final ten minutes. Porto, under new coach Julen Lopategui, maintained their 100 per cent winning record in the Primeira Liga, alongside Vitoria Guimaraes, who won 3-0 at Belenenses on Saturday. Porto also won both legs of their Champions League qualifier against Lille and are yet to concede a goal this season. The season claimed its first casualty as a manager when Joao de Deus was sacked by Gil Vicente after a 2-1 home defeat to Maritimo left them without a point. (Writing by Brian Homewood in Bern, editing by Ed Osmond)