Porto win the Europa League

by Tony Cuddihy , 18 May 2011

Andre Villas Boas became the youngest manager to lift a major European trophy as his Porto side beat Braga 1-0 to win the Europa League in Dublin.


Radamel Falcao was the hero for Porto, scoring out of nowhere on the stroke of half-time to seal the victory over their Portuguese neighbours.

Brazilian striker Hulk had the first opportunity of the game, dancing past Silvio and getting the better of Paulao before flashing his shot just wide of Artur's post.

Braga were prepared to play on the break and had few chances, with Hugo Viana's driven free-kick headed clear by Rolando and an effort by Lima easily saved by Porto 'keeper Helton.

Silvestre Varela had a great chance to open the score, heading wide from a Guarin cross, but it wasn't long before the deadlock was broken. Guarin was again the instigator, crossing deep into the box for Falcao to head past Artur from 12 yards.

Brazilian Mossoro had Braga's best chance of the game moments inside the second half.

Rolando missed his clearance entirely and Mossoro found himself one-on-one with Helton in acres of space. However, the goalkeeper somehow managed to save with his feet and the ball ran safe.

The second half was low on efforts after that, with Porto prepared to sit back, but they did have a rare chance when Varela almost played in full-back Pereira, but he just failed to connect with the ball in a great position.

Substitute Belluschi could have made it 2-0 with a shot from the edge of the box that flashed wide, but Porto didn't need another goal as Braga ran out of steam towards the end, handing the trophy to their more illustrious compatriots.

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Pos
Team P W D L +/- PTS
1.
Man City
38
28
5
5
64
89
2.
Man Utd
38
28
5
5
56
89
3.
Arsenal
38
21
7
10
25
70
4.
Tottenham
38
20
9
9
25
69
5.
Newcastle
38
19
8
11
5
65
6.
Chelsea
38
18
10
10
19
64
7.
Everton
38
15
11
12
10
56
8.
Liverpool
38
14
10
14
7
52
9.
Fulham
38
14
10
14
-3
52
10.
West Brom
38
13
8
17
-7
47
11.
Swansea
38
12
11
15
-7
47
12.
Norwich
38
12
11
15
-14
47
13.
Sunderland
38
11
12
15
-1
45
14.
Stoke
38
11
12
15
-17
45
15.
Wigan
38
11
10
17
-20
43
16.
Aston Villa
38
7
17
14
-16
38
17.
QPR
38
10
7
21
-23
37
18.
Bolton
38
10
6
22
-31
36
19.
Blackburn
38
8
7
23
-30
31
20.
Wolverhampton
38
5
10
23
-43
25
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