Adriano penalty hands Porto Premier League title

LISBON, Apr 22 (Reuters) A second half Adriano penalty gave Porto a 1-0 win over relegated Penafiel today as they clinched their 21st Portuguese Premier League title.

The Brazilian striker grabbed the 47th-minute winner from the spot after Ibsom was fouled by defender Nuno Diogo.

With two games left Porto have an unassailable 10-point lead over second-placed Sporting, who have three matches remaining and host relegation-threatened Naval tomorrow.

Porto could win a domestic double on May 14 when they play holders Vitoria Setubal in the Portuguese Cup final.

Outgoing champions Benfica, who visit Nacional Madeira tomorrow, are two points behind Sporting in the race for second place and a Champions League third qualifying round spot.

Porto's match was interrupted for 15 minutes as fans ran on to the pitch to celebrate three minutes from the end.

The pitch was eventually cleared by the authorities and the referee agreed to play out the remaining time. There was no violence nor any reported arrests.

''We deserved the title'', Dutch coach Co Adriaanse told reporters after eight straight wins clinched the trophy.

''Most of the credit for the title goes to Adriaanse,'' Porto chairman Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa told reporters, adding that the 58-year-old would remain in charge of the team next season.

It is the first championship for Adriaanse, who was appointed after Porto finished second last season following two successive league titles under Jose Mourinho.

The former Alkmaar coach was criticised after releasing Jorge Costa and Nuno Valente, key players in Porto's 2004 Champions League win, and for his constant tactical changes.

However, last week Adriaanse showed his dedication to the job when he was on the bench for Porto's 1-0 win over Uniao Leiria even though he had suffered a family bereavement.

REUTERS OM RAI0327