Jorge Jesus' reaction to his side's 2-0 win against Benfica

“I want to start by thanking the fans. Almost 40 thousand people on a Monday night is really good. They were really important for the team", began Jorge Jesus in a flash interview at the final whistle this Monday, after his side's 2-0 win against Boavista.

In his usually analytical form, the Sporting boss reflected: “It was a tough game against a really intense Boavista team that doesn't let you play. We scored two goals in the first-half and from then on we managed the game well. Our objective was to win and it was important to keep a clean sheet. Once again we showed quality."

Jesus went on to speak about the absence of João Pereira, Coates and Jefferson from the starting line-up, as well as the introduction of Carlos Mané for Teo Gutiérrez: "It was my choice. Coates has played a lot in the last three games and he wasn't used to it. He is a big lad and it takes him some time to recover between matches. We will see if he is ready for Thursday or not."

Moving his attention to a question on Thursday's trip to Germany, Jesus added: "Of course there will be a first time for Sporting winning in Germany, but today is Monday and we have until Wednesday before we travel to see how things work out. A lot of people are talking about it, but a lot of things would have to happen for us to reach the Europa League final. Being ahead of Benfica and FC Porto, now that is something worth talking about."

To finish, the Alvalade boss touched on the possible suspension of Slimani, with the Lisbon derby just around the corner: "I don't know what is going to happen and we will have to wait and see. If it happens, then it will be like we thought it would, but right now we can't be sure. To be honest, what could we do but laugh about it?"

Bryan Ruiz on Monday night's Liga NOS win

Bryan Ruiz was once again one of the stand-out performers this Monday night, setting up Ewerton for Sporting's first and netting a goal of his own with a kind deflection from a free-kick.

“It was an important win and it is three more points in the fight for the league", said the Costa Rican in a flash interview at the final whistle, going on to add: "What happens depends on us, so all we have to do is think about what we have to do. If we do that, we will be champions."

To finish, the skillful attacker looked ahead to Thursday's visit to Leverkusen: "We know it will be hard, but we have the capacity to win. It won't be easy, but we will try. Sporting has never won in Germany, but there is a first time for everything."

Sporting reopen gap at the top of Liga NOS with two set piece goals in nine minutes

The 37,000 fans who turned out for Sporting's dominating performance against Boavista may have had to wait until late evening for kick off, but the morning training session was evidentially where the win began, with Sporting overcoming a stubborn visiting defence courtesy of two deadball situations in the space of just nine minutes.

The evening's encounter got underway with Erwin Sánchez's side holding true to their pre-match declaration to take the fight to the league leaders, with Boavista applying pressure high up the pitch in an attempt to disrupt Sporting's passing game. In fact, the visitors often forced the team from Alvalade to take the direct root forward in search of Slimani and Teo. However, despite the visitors best intentions the high pace did little more than see the foul count mount up and hand the initiative to Sporting. On 15 minutes, Rui Patrício spread the ball out wide and Marvin galloped down the left to link up with Bryan Ruiz. The Costa Rican put a measured cross into the box and Teo Gutiérrez met with a side-footed volley, but the effort scuffed wide of the post.

Boavista's good intentions actually played right into Sporting's hands on several occasions, opening up space behind the visitors' defensive line that Bryan Ruiz in particular was enjoying. On 33 minutes, Ruiz saw a shot across the face of the box deflect wide, before João Mário blasted a shot off target from range. A deserved Sporting opener finally game in the 37th minute, when Ewerton popped up at the near post to head in following a corner.

Nine minutes later, Lady Luck then looked kindly on Sporting's work ethic, as a free-kick from Bryan Ruiz took a wicked deflection off the wall and onto the inside of the post, before ending up in the back of Mika's net seconds before the half-time whistle. As the referee signaled for the break, the scoreboard was largely a fair reflection of proceedings so far, with Sporting having attempted twice as many shots on goal and having held down the bulk of possession.

The second-half got underway on a negative note, with Idris crashing into Slimani's ankle with a tackle punished with a yellow card. Boavista's adrenaline did almost claw back a goal in the 53rd minute, when Anderson Carvalho showed a nice bit of skill to turn a cross onto the woodwork. A few of minutes later (59’), Iriberri pulled a rare stop out of Patrício after another ball whipped into the box.

The visitors had fired a warning shot and Jesus responded with a tactical change, introducing Carlos Mané for Teo Gutiérrez for an injection of pace between midfield and attack. The Sporting Academy graduate was soon causing trouble for the Boavista defence, picking out Slimani with a splitting pass that the Algerian almost converted on. A minute later, Mané himself tried his luck with a stinger of a shot, before João Mário was denied by an excellent save from Mika (76’).

Boavista really dropped off in the final stages, but Schelotto gifted possession to the visitors in the 78th minute in what could have took the game to a nail-biting finish, but Patrício was on hand to deny Anderson Carvalho. Jorge Jesus then introduced Aquilani in the 80th minute in place of Gelson Martins, with a move that almost worked to perfection. Ruiz picked out Slimani in the area and the resulting shot ended up at the feet of Carlos Mané, but the young forward could only hit the post.

Jorge Jesus includes 20 for Boavista

Jorge Jesus has included a total of 20 players in his squad for Monday's hosting of Boavista, on Liga NOS matchday 23.

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Azbe Jug

Defenders: Marvin, Jefferson, Ewerton, Coates, Semedo, Tobias, João Pereira, Schelotto and Esgaio

Midfielders: Aquilani, João Mário and Adrien

Forwards: Slimani, Teo, Bryan Ruiz, Mané, Gelson Martins and Matheus Pereira

Sporting CP-Boavista will get underway at 20h00 tonight, on Estádio José Alvalade.

Jorge Jesus shares his thoughts Liga NOS matchday 23 hosting of Boavista

Jorge Jesus was in the Alvalade press room this Sunday, ahead of what he expects to be a tough hosting of Boavista.

“Boavista are having a good second half to the season. They have won three, drawn two and haven't lost yet. It will be hard, just like it was in Bessa, where we lost two points through some mistakes that I really don't expect to see. We will be taking on a team who are on a high right now, but of course we want to win and to play well. The most important thing is that we win the three points and defend first place, opened the Sporting boss.

Explaining that Coates will feature and that there is no rush to bring Barcos into action, Jesus affirmed that he will put out his strongest possible side: "Today I watches the Bayer Leverkusen game and the lads suffered a bit because they were in such a hard game before it, but we will look at this match the same way we always do. I will use my best options for tomorrow, within the strategy that has brought us to where we are now."

Sporting CP-Boavista will kick off at 20h00 on Monday, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Jorge Jesus after his side's 4-0 win against Nacional

Although surprised by such a dominating final score against Nacional this Saturday, Jorge Jesus highlighted his team's quality in what was an important three points in the title race.

“If you had asked me if we would win by four goals, then I would have said no. Nacional are a good team and in terms of strategy they have one of the best coaches in our league. Not only that, but this pitch is hard to play on as well", said the Sporting coach at the final whistle, adding: "We had a bit of trouble in the first-half in the one-on-one situations, but scoring helps inject confidence into the lads. In defence I thought we were really strong. Rúben Semedo and Coates played really well. We won, which was the objective, even it it was by half a goal. Sometimes teams aren't at their best, but Sporting does not know how to play badly."

William Carvalho on Saturday's win in Madeira

"It has been a really happy week for me. I renewed by contract, Sporting showed trust in me and I am really happy to stay here", opened William Carvalho in a flash interview after his side's 4-0 win against Nacional this Saturday.

Moving on to the match itself, the Portuguese midfielder affirmed: "It was a good game and we played really well. Now we will start focusing on Thursday's match. This was worth three points, just like it always is. All we have to think about is what we are doing and not what our rivals are doing."

The Sporting Academy graduate finished with a word on his recent form and Thursday's Europa League encounter: "I have been working hard in the week and I know my best form will come through soon. Thursday will be an important match. It is over two legs and with the first at home we want to win it."

Jorge Jesus' side move clear at the top of Liga NOS with dominating showing in Madeira

Sporting CP moved clear at the top of Liga NOS this weekend, courtesy of a dominating performance in Madeira. Slimani netted twice, with and Adrien and João Mário also finding the back of the net in a 4-0 win.

Needing a win to create a bit of breathing room at the top of the table, Jorge Jesus' side were straight to business at the opening whistle and after just three minutes a João Mário corner saw Slimani ghost around the Nacional defence and head in the first of the evening.

Buoyed by the early goal, Sporting simply oozed confidence, moving possession around and pushing forward almost at will. Chances soon began to materialise, but Nacional managed to keep their deficit to a minimum, also in part due to some sloppy finishing. On 28 minutes, João Pereira broke away down the right flank and pulled a cross back into the area, but João Aurélio managed to scramble in front of Slimani and Bryan Ruiz and desperately clear away.

Nacional were doing very little in attack, but a dead-ball situation in the 33rd minute did have Rui Patrício twitching, when Salvador Agra blazed a free-kick just over the bar. With the hosts' best chance so far finishing up in the stands, Sporting again took control of proceedings and the typically dominating Adrien Silva and William Carvalho complete bossed the middle of the park.

Sporting have been particularly deadly going forward on the break so far this season and the evening in Madeira was proving no different, but set pieces were also looking particularly venomous for the hosts. On 38 minutes, Bryan Ruiz floated in a cross and Coates won the duel with his defender, but the final header finished up the wrong side of Gottardi's post. Shortly after, an injury to Bruno César saw Carlos Mané introduced into the action behind Slimani, while Bryan Ruiz moved out wide.

It was actually Carlos Mané who could have extended his side's lead, after a move from João Mário and Slimani set up the Portuguese international inside the area, but the under-21's placed effort ended up the wrong side of the woodwork to keep the score at 1-0 as the half-time whistle sounded.

The second-half got underway as the first had finished, with Jorge Jesus' side going forward at will. After a long spell of pressure, Nacional finally broke in the 52nd minute, when Adrien converted on a penalty after Rui Correia had handballed in the area. However, the 2-0 lead was shortlived, because 11 minutes late Slimani showed his usual determination to battled back possession in the area and lashed a shot against the crossbar. The Algerian was left frustrated, but João Mário was on hand to put away the rebound.

Sporting continued to dominate and another goal for the visitors always looked more likely than a first for the hosts. Next to try their luck were Slimani and Aquilani, but Gottardi managed to save the Algerian's shot and Aquilani was unable to find the target. A fourth looked to be just a matter of time in coming and with 5 minutes left of regulation time, Schelotto was brought crashing down by Sequeira in the area for a penalty. Slimani was called up for the resulting spot-kick and the Alvalade forward smartly obliged by sending Gottardi the wrong way to set the final result at 4-0.

Bruno Paixão named for Liga NOS matchday 22

Bruno Paixão, 41, from the Sétubal Football Association, has been named to take charge of Sporting's trip to Madeira to take on Nacional, on Liga NOS matchday 22.

António Godinho and Venâncio Tomé will act as linesmen.

This will be Bruno Paixão's first match involving Sporting this season. In fact, the last time Paixão officiated over the team from Alvalade was on the 19th of March 2012, in a visit to Gil Vicente.

Nacional-Sporting CP will get underway at 18h30 on Saturday, in Estádio da Madeira.

Jorge Jesus' pre-match press conference ahead of trip to Madeira

Jorge Jesus was with the press this Friday to share his thoughts on what he believes will be a tough trip to Madeira. Affirming that his side will guarantee the full three points, the Sporting coach also dismissed the opportunity to comment on today's encounter between Benfica and FC Porto.

“This will be one of those typically difficult matches. Nacional are not an easy team to face and they have a coach that is doing a good job, but Sporting always has to play for the win. That is how we have looked at it since the start of the season and that is why we are in first. We want to keep in the fight for the title and to show we can come away with the points form these kinds of matches. Whatever happens between Benfica and FC Porto, what matters is that we win in Madeira", opened Jesus, going on to reveal that Naldo, Paulo Oliveira, Tobias Figueiredo, Jefferson and Bruno Paulista will all miss out through injury: "I wouldn't say we are having issues with injuries, because in 21 league matches, as well as in other competitions, we have Naldo, Jefferson and Paulo all fit. It is funny that injuries have only really hit centre-backs, at Benfica an FC Porto was well as Sporting."

In parallel, the Sporting coach added that the pressure of battling for the league title is also being felt elsewhere and that recent results have done little to take away from his side's confidence: "Against Rio Ave we had a lot of chance, but football can be like that. The fact that we have drawn two games doesn't mean that the team has lost quality and we played well in our last game. We have won a lot of games and have been consistently at the top of the league. We believe in our capacity to stay there."

To finish, Jesus also touched on William Carvalho's current form: "He hasn't been at the same level as say Adrien or João Mário who you also mentioned here today and we know why. It has nothing to do with his contract or his behaviour. He was out of competition for three months and he is looking for his best form, but we believe in him and we are counting on his input."

Nacional-Sporting CP will kick off at 18h30 on Saturday, in Estádio da Madeira.