http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 midfielder James Rodriguez claims that he was clearly fouled in the box and that the referee was right to award a penalty against Vitoria Guimaraes.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vitor-c36281 Pereira’s men took on the Conquerors at Estadio do Dragao this weekend in the Primeira Liga and managed to come out on top.
Porto showed their superiority from kick-off and scored their first of the night through an unlikely source on 19 minutes. Centre-back, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rolando-c31583, found himself in the box as he controlled James Rodriguez’s cross and displaying the composure of a striker;
he hit a low shot in to the corner of the net.
After the break, Joao Moutinho made it 2-0 for his side but Guimaraes pulled one back on 59 minutes. However a 77th penalty from James Rodriguez clinched his side the three points and piled pressure on Benfica, who faced http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 later on.
Speaking after the game, Rodriguez claimed that the referee’s decision to award a penalty was the right one, as he had indeed been fouled inside the box.
"Of course it was a penalty! The defense clearly fouled me. I have no doubt.”
He also said that his goal had helped his team but the most important thing on the night was the win and it showed that the Dragons had gotten their title challenge back on track.
"I feel like I helped the team with the goal, but the important thing is to win. We are growing and are on track.
Lastly, the Colombian said that the whole team had performed admirably at home and everyone played very well, despite the absence of influential forward http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hulk-c16436, who is reported to be sidelined with injury.
"The team has fulfilled its role and everyone played very well,” James Rodriguez was quoted as saying.
With FC Porto grabbing a win at home, they are keeping pace with Benfica, who also went onto secure three points with a 3-1 victory. But the two Portuguese giants are only separated by a small margin and the league could go down to the wire this time.
However the old foes are still yet to go head-to-head one more time and it could prove to be the decisive fixture in the campaign if things keep going this way.
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