A Luis Suarez brace and a late Daniel Braganca strike saw Sporting remain on the coattails of league leaders FC Porto, who themselves maintained their title pursuit against Arouca earlier on Friday evening.
Porto left it until second half stoppage-time to claim what could prove a vital three points in the race for the Liga Portugal title. Teenager Oskar Pietuszewski put Porto ahead in the opening minute at the Dragao, but Francesco Farioli's side failed to build upon the Pole's first league goal of the season.
Nais Djouahra drew Arouca level and Porto seemed destined to share the spoils with the visitors. However, William Gomes held his nerve to put Porto back ahead from the spot in injury time before Terem Moffi struck in the 98th minute to confirm the three points in a 3-1 win.
Sporting will hope to move to within one point of Porto when they travel to Braga next weekend, while the league leaders make the trip to Lisbon to face Jose Mourinho's Benfica in a potentially vital weekend in the title race.