Sporting fall to first domestic defeat of the season at the hands of União

24 shots against just four. 13 corners against none. 74% possession. Despite one of Sporting's best showings on paper this season, Jorge Jesus' side were unable to overcome a stubborn União da Madeira this Sunday and slipped to a first Liga NOS defeat of the season after an impressive run of 14 games.

The first minute was a reflection of the rest of the evening, with Sporting holding down possession in the opposition half. Gelson managed to find space in the area, but the youngster's shot ended up high of the mark. Cadiz tried a low drive in the 7th minute, but it was little more than an odd foray forward in what was an encounter completely dominated by the team from Alvalade. Another three golden opportunities game before the break: firstly through Jefferson from a free-kick that pulled a save out of the in-form André Moreira, followed by a Slimani header after Adrien battled back possession and finally from Montero after the Colombian latched on to a cross from Gelson Martins.

The second-half was more of the same, with Sporting bossing proceedings while União bunkered down and seemed happy to wait for the odd counter-attack. Montero came painfully close with a shot across the face of goal in the 48th minute and Bryan Ruiz headed over seven minutes later, before Paulo Oliveira also saw a header finish up just wide of the post in the 58th minute.

Despite the completely one-way action, União took the lead in the 69th minute, when Paulinho found Danilo Dias at the back post with the enviable task of heading in past a stranded Rui Patrício. Sporting cranked up the pressure in response, but a clinical touch in front goal was missing and neither Slimani or Montero were unable to capitalise on their chances against a seemingly unbeatable André Moreira in the União goal.

The result keeps Sporting in first place with 35 points, with FC Porto hosting Académia later this evening.

Sporting squad for Liga NOS matchday 14

Jorge Jesus has included 21 players in his squad for Sunday's trip to Madeira, on Liga NOS matchday 14.

Squad list in full: Rui Patrício, Ezequiel Schelotto, Jefferson, Ewerton, Aquilani, Tanaka, Slimani,  Montero, William, Paulo Oliveira, João Mário, Bryan Ruiz, João Pereira, Marcelo Boeck, Adrien, Azbe Jug, André Martins, Naldo, Esgaio, Gelson Martins and Matheus Pereira

U. Madeira-Sporting will kick-off at 18h15, in Estádio da Madeira.

Jorge Jesus on this Sunday's trip to Madeira

Sporting will face União in Madeira this Sunday, on Liga NOS matchday 14, with Jorge Jesus' side on the verge of topping the table going into the Christmas break.

“The year hasn't finished yet. We are in first because of our quality and the truth is that we are having a really good start to the season, which gives us confidence. When I arrived here it was with the goal of being where we are now, but maybe not as good as we are now. I wasn't sure we would be so far ahead and this is a new experience for the team. What I want now is for the team to show the capacity to defend first place, affirmed Jorge Jesus in his pre-match press conference.

Before catching the short flight to Madeira, the Alvalade boss highlighted the difficulties of taking on União: "Every game in Madeira, against whoever, is difficult. União showed that in their last game against our rival, as well as with Braga. They will be organised in defence and we will have to find a way to create space. It won't be easily. We feel good about what we did in the Cup and if we play like we did against Braga it will make things much easier in Braga.

Asked if he is expecting the return of Carrillo for Christmas, Jorge Jesus instead preferred to focus on a different sector of his squad: "Carrillo? This is Christmas time, but I don't think Santa will give me that. Let's see what he does give me. A coach is never 100% happy and that is how I am as well. If I could have another player, then maybe it would be in defence."

Vasco Santos named for Liga NOS matchday 14

Vasco Santos, 39, from the Porto Football Association, has been named for Sporting's trop to Madeira to take on União, on Liga NOS matchday 14.

Sérgio Jesus and Bruno Trindade will act as linesmen.

U. Madeira-Sporting will kick off at 18h15 on Sunday, in Estádio da Madeira (Funchal).

Sales to begin on the 26th of December

Due to high demand for tickets for Sporting-FC Porto, to be played on the 2nd of January, Sporting Clube de Portugal will make available non-renewed Special Seats at 10h00 on the 26th of December.

All holders of a Special Seat for this season will receive an SMS/email if updated contact details are available, through which tickets can be purchased up until the 25th of December through the official Sporting website or at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices until the 23rd of December (10h00 to 20h00). The ticket offices will be closed on the 24th and 25th of December.

Jorge Jesus on his side's 3-1 win over Moreirense

Jorge Jesus was understandably pleased after watching his side extend their run of Liga NOS wins to seven.

“Some of the players we used didn't play on Thursday and that brought quality to the team. We scored first, which was really important for us to manage the fatigue. The lads did well, but better at some moments than others. We could have held down possession a bit better. I thought that William and João Mário in the middle would help, but it created a bit of instability. It was a shame for us to concede from a penalty, but football can be like that", opened the Alvalade coach.

Jorge Jesus went on to share his thoughts on Wednesday's Portuguese Cup visit to Braga: "We will of course be feeling confident for our next matches, because we have been winning. There is no reason for us to feel any different with the results we have been getting. Braga is always a hard match and it was like that when I was the coach there as well. It is another difficult match that we will face."

Gelson Martins' reaction after his first goal in Alvalade

Gelson Martins was back on Jorge Jesus' team sheet this Sunday, this time putting in an instrumental performance in his side's 3-1 win against Moreirense. Speaking at the final whistle, the young winger proved happy with having contributed with the first goal of the evening.

“It was an important win. We played well, we scored early and we got our seventh consecutive win. It was my first goal in Alvalade and hopefully I can contribute with more", said Gelson Martins, before speaking about the coming Portuguese Cup encounter with Braga and the league meeting with FC Porto come the new year: "We always play to win, against FC Porto or any other team. The team is feeling confident right now for our next game against Sp. Braga and we will go for win."

Sporting tally 7th consecutive win with strikes from Gelson Martins, Aquilani and Slimani

Sporting breezed to a comfortable 3-1 win against Moreirense this Sunday evening, on Liga NOS matchday 13. Gelson Martins and Aquilani were on target in the first-half, with Slimani bagging the third after the break.

Jorge Jesus' charges quickly set out their stall at the opening whistle, throwing men forward and stretching Moreirense out wide. Esgaio broke down the wing with the first attack of the evening and set up Bryan Ruiz at the edge of the box, but the Costa Rican was unable to keep his shot down. Sporting were determined to find the back of the net early and two minutes later Stefanovic's goal was again under threat, this time with Teo creating space down the left and whipping a dangerous cross into the box that the visiting keeper did well to clear.

Again Sporting pushed forward and again Moreirense could do little but bunker down. A hashed clearance landed at Gelson Martins' feet at the edge of the area, but the young forward put his shot straight at Stefanovic. Next to try his luck was Slimani, after Teo battled back possession high up the pitch, but Stefanovic was again at hand to deny keep the scores blank. Moreirense finally broke a minute before the half-hour mark, when a quickly taken free-kick released Gelson Martins in the area to finally beat the visiting keeper.

The early goal did little to slow the Sporting charge and Moreirense could barely get out of their own half as attacked continued to rain down. Searching for a second, some persistent work from Gelson Martins saw the younger float a cross in for Slimani, but the Algerian's header ended up in the hands of the grateful Stefanovic. However, the save was just delaying the inevitable and on 37 minutes Slimani held down possession deep in opposition territory before picking out Adrien. The Portuguese international spotted the on rushing Aquiliani and the Italian midfielder obliged with a tap in finish to make it 2-0.

The second-half got underway with Moreirense's best chance so far, when Luís Carlos put in a dangerous cross that the Alvalade defence did well to turn away. Sporting responded with a third goal, this time from the penalty spot after Slimani was brought down in the area. The Algerian himself took the spot kick and although his initial effort was stopped by Stefanovic, the imposing striker reacted well to convert on the rebound.

Although trailing by three, Moreirense responded with some attacking play of his own and were only denied by a fantastic save by Rui Patrício after a shot by Boateng. However, the Portuguese international keeper could do nothing to extend his streak of clean sheets when Rafael Martins converted on a penalty. The goal boosted the visitors' morale and a handful of attacks followed, but Patrício was proving to be in impervious form and pulled off another fine stop.

João Mário had a chance late on from range, but his shot was kept out by Stefanovic. Another win for Sporting - the seventh consecutive in the league - and another three points to keep Jorge Jesus' side at the top of the table.

Nuno Almeida for Liga NOS matchday 13

Nuno Almeida, 40, from the Algarve Football Association, has been named to take charge of Liga NOS matchday 13, between Sporting and Moreirense.

Paulo Ramos and Pais António will act as linesmen.

Sporting-Moreirense will kick off at 18h15 on Sunday, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Jorge Jesus' pre-match press conference ahead of Moreirense

While accepting that his team is flying high right now following Thursday's Europa League win, Jorge Jesus cautioned to the danger posed by the visiting Moreirence this Sunday.

“It is another game on top of a midweek game for us. The team is feeling good, because winning if of course the best remedy. The lads are on a high right now and tomorrow will be business as usual for us: a defensively oriented team, who have already taken points off one of our competitors. It will be difficult to find space as it always is and we will see is we have the capacity going forward to score", opened the Alvalade boss, adding: “Sometimes the games you would think are easier are actually harder. You just can't predict it and if we did then we would all be bet. Our league is really competitive, but all that matters is that we defend first place, regardless of who we play against."

Revealing that Ewerton will be included in the squad, Jesus highlighted that consistency will be the key in the run at the end of the season: "What determines the league are the last matches of the season, that is where the winner is decided. Of course to get to the end of the season with a chance you have to win now. Right now we are in first and the squad is feeling really confident. We deserve to be in first and now we want to defend that position."

To finish, the Sporting coach responded to a question on what is the best squad he has worked with to date, as well as Thursday's Europa League win against Besiktas.

“The situation here at Sporting is new for me and for the players. Everyone is really excited about what we are doing, but we have to carry on growing and I believe that we will be even better in the second half of the season. The players have shown a great level of intelligence and it has been a pleasant surprise. With my way of training, intelligence is really important. The way we work needs the players to make use of different resources beyond just simple quality. I honestly am really surprised at how far we have come in such a short time."

“(Besiktas) was a really important game for us in the Europa League and I didn't think we would keep our cool the way we did. If we can have the stadium tomorrow the way it was on Thursday, it would be the best way to help the team win."

Sporting-Moreirense will get underway on Sunday the 13th of December at 18h15, in Estádio José Alvalade.