The week started in the best possible way for Porto: with a home victory that allows them to maintain a five and eight points lead over their rivals from Lisbon. Back at Estádio do Dragão after their victory over Malmö FF (2-1), FC Porto beat Estrela da Amadora 3-1 and reached 40 points in 14 rounds of the championship.

Francesco Farioli sent in Alberto Costa and Alan Varela in the positions occupied by Martim Fernandes and Pablo Rosario in the Europa League, and it was the right fullback who created the first dangerous move, a cross deflected by Samu in the first minute. In the third minute, Jakub Kiwior found Pepê and the Brazilian international winger forced the visiting goalkeeper to a save; in the fourth minute, Rodrigo Mora combined with Samu and Renan Ribeiro had to work hard again to keep the score at 0-0.

After a quarter of an hour, following a long pass from Alan Varela, Alberto Costa was fouled inside the opposition's area and the referee awarded a penalty. Samu made no mistake from the spot, firing into the south goal to score his fourth goal in the last three games (1-0). From then on, the pace of the game slowed down and there were only a few chances near half time: a deflected shot by Samu (38m) and another off target by Borja Sainz (45+2m).

Early in the second half, Jan Bednarek received his fifth yellow card, completing a sequence of cards that will keep him out of the trip to Alverca, but worst of all was Estrela da Amadora's equaliser. Forced to react, the Dragons went on the attack, Alberto and Samu combined again and won the corner that led to the 2-1: after an attempt by Samu and another by Varela, Francisco Moura shot without hesitation and put FC Porto back in the lead.

With Pablo Rosario and William Gomes replacing Varela and Pepê, the number 7 could have scored from one of his first touches, but failed to make the most of Rodrigo Mora's cross from the left. Five minutes later, on the right wing, the 18-year-old prodigy crossed low, Alberto got to the ball, an opposing defender kicked it into his own goal and made it 3-1.

Having just come on with Martim Fernandes, replacing Alberto Costa and Rodrigo Mora, Gabri Veiga came within centimetres of scoring from a free kick in front of goal. After referee Miguel Fonseca signalled the end of the match, the focus turned to the Round of 16 of the Portuguese Cup, which brings FC Famalicão to Estádio do Dragão on Thursday at 20h45.