There's dominance in Portuguese football the like of which we have never seen before

The dominance of the top four in the Portuguese top flight is officially the like of which we have never seen before - and will surely never see again.

That is because Porto, Benfica, Braga and Sporting are displaying a footballing level the rest of the Portuguese League can only aspire to reach.

The four of them not only sit 1st to 4th in the table - already at least 7 points clear of nearest rivals Guimarães, having finished a truly ridiculous 24 points above 5th placed Rio Ave last season - but they are also the four teams that are into the semi-final of the Portuguese League Cup, having topped their respective groups in the first round of the cup competition.

And, if that wasn't enough to show just how far ahead of the rest the Big Four are, all four of them are now into the semi-final of the biggest national cup competition as well, the Portuguese Cup, after Braga beat Aves 2-1, Porto edged past Leixoes in extra time, Benfica edged out Guimarães, and Sporting ran out winners versus Feirense.

It means that the top four in the Portuguese league system, the final four of the Taça de Portugal, and the final four of the Portuguese League Cup are all the same team, a startling level of dominance that we have never seen before. 

The next round of the Portuguese Cup will be Porto vs Braga, while Benfica take on Lisbon rivals Sporting in a two-legged affair. The competition winner last season, by contrast, was Aves.  

And in the next round of the Taça da Liga, Benfica will take on Porto for a place in the final, while current holders Sporting will face Braga. 

The startling dominance within the Primeira Liga is difficult to truly believe.

Top 4 in the Primeira Liga: Porto, Benfica, Braga, Sporting. 

Last 4 in the Taça de Portugal: Porto, Benfica, Braga, Sporting. .

Last 4 in the Taça da Liga: Porto, Benfica, Braga, Sporting.