No way through for Jose's hopefuls

For once, however, Porto seemed a little cowed during the first period. Their coach has often spoken of their strong hearts and minds, but for the first 45 minutes last night they struggled to impose themselves on opponents who were not short on ambition.

With Deportivo keen to break up Porto's attacking thrusts and counter quickly through wide players Sergio and Alberto Luque, the game was physical, more like an English Division One encounter than a meeting of European elite.

There were few genuine chances early on. Neither goalkeeper made a save of note in the first period, with Deportivo centre half Nourredine Naybet going closest to scoring as he diverted a Carlos Alberto cross over his own crossbar.

Referee Markus Merk endured a similarly difficult first period and his lack of control became apparent when he booked Porto's Ricardo Carvalho and the Spaniards' Manuel Pablo for a flare-up off the ball in the 29th minute.

Mourinho made two changes at half-time - introducing Edgaras Jankauskas and Pedro Mendes - but it made little difference. Indeed, it was Deport i vo who began to look the more dangerous and Walter Pandiani was only halted by a Nuno Valente tackle as he homed in on goal.

With 23 minutes left Porto midfielder Maniche lifted a 25-yard shot over goalkeeper Jose Molina, only for the ball to strike the crossbar.

The bad- tempered match almost boiled over in the dying moments when Deportivo's Jorge Andrade was sent off for aiming a kick at Deco.