Real Madrid 3 FC Porto 1

Real Madrid put on their best show in ages to power past FC Porto to the top of Group E.

The club is well placed to make progress from the first phase after this win and can do significant damage on this sort of form.

The sporadic nature of Real's qualities cautions against raving too much about their performance last night but Porto did all they could to stay with the Spanish giants and played well throughout the game.

Steve McManaman provided the cross for Fernando Morientes to convert from close range to open the scoring in the 22nd minute after a wave of attacks from the Real side. Their goalkeeper Albano Bizarri allowed Porto back into the game though when he lived up to his name to throw a high cross at the feet of Jardel who poked the ball over the line.

Real had to recover quickly and did so with Ivan Helguera adding the final touch to an in swinging McManaman corner.

Roberto Carlos was bundled over in the 67th minute to allow Fernando Hierro to cap Real's 200th game in European competition with a driven penalty conversion.