Sporting Lisbon have moved three points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga after a comfortable 3-0 win against city rivals Benfica.

The Green and Whites, who went into the game level on points with Porto, took the lead after only nine minutes as Teofilo Gutierrez found a way past keeper Julio Cesar.

Cesar was beaten again on 21 minutes as Algerian striker Islam Slimani added to Sporting's lead against the Eagles.

Nine minutes before the interval, Costa Rican international Bryan Ruiz netted the visitors' third goal to all-but wrap up victory.

Benfica tried to find a response after the break, with Nicolas Gaitan and Silvio creating a opening for Andreas Samaris, who failed to convert his shooting chance.

However, Sporting were able to hold on to their three-goal lead and are now eight points ahead of their city rivals, who languish in seventh place.