A goal by Russian midfielder Dmitri Alenitchev gave Porto a 1-0 win at Boavista on Monday after a hard-fought derby in which they had Deco Souza sent off near the end as they stretched their lead in the premier league.

Champions Porto, the only unbeaten side after nine games, are top with 25 points, seven ahead of Sporting who won 2-1 at Alverca on Sunday. Early season leaders Maritimo are third on 17 points with a game in hand at home to Benfica on November 12.

Boavista pressed hard from the start in an ill-tempered match in which the referee showed 12 yellow cards and one red as well as disallowing home striker Faye Fary's effort for offside.

Porto's Brazilian-born playmaker Deco missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring on the hour when he beat goalkeeper William Andem but shot wide of an open goal.

Substitute Alenitchev grabbed the winner in the 77th minute with a shot from inside the box after a neat pass from the left by Brazilian striker Derlei Silva.

Porto were down to 10 men three minutes later as Deco picked up a second yellow card. He will also miss their next Champions League match on November 4 against Olympique Marseille after receiving three yellow cards in this season's campaign.

Sporting's new Brazilian signing Liedson grabbed the winner at Alverca as the Lisbon side ended a run of three away defeats.

The 2002 champions came from behind after an early goal by Pedro Torrao but Brazilian midfielder Fabio Rochemback levelled the score before halftime from the penalty spot.

Liedson then confirmed his skill as a poacher after bagging his sixth goal in as many league and European games by firing home the rebound after a shot from captain Pedro Barbosa was fumbled by Alverca's French goalkeeper Yannick Quesnel.

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