Flamengo loses to Santos 3-0, into relegation zone

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) -- Joel Santana's fourth stint as Flamengo coach began with a 3-0 defeat at Santos on Sunday which left Brazil's most popular club rooted in the relegation zone.

Santana, who led Flamengo to safety two years ago in his previous spell at the club, was recalled to replace Ney Franco and try to produce a repeat performance.

But Flamengo found the notoriously inconsistent Santos on a good day as it fell 2-0 behind after 32 minutes through goals by Pedrinho and Marco Aurelio.

Midfielder Kleber curled in a 30-meter free kick five minutes after halftime to complete the scoring and leave Flamengo 19th in the 20-team table.

Santos, under former Brazil and Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, climbed to ninth with 24 points.

Defending champion Sao Paulo won 2-0 at Gremio to go top.

Borges broke away to put give Sao Paulo a second-minute lead and Diego Tardelli made the game safe in the 87th minute.

Sao Paulo, which has 34 points from 17 games, moved two clear of previous leader Botafogo, which was held 0-0 at Parana.

Sport Recife, which won 2-1 at Palmeiras with nine men in midweek, produced more drama by coming from 2-0 down to beat Atletico Paranaense 3-2.

Atletico Mineiro continued its revival under former Brazil coach Emerson Leao with a 2-1 win at Juventude.

Chilean midfielder Jorge Valdivia, given a 20-match ban by his country last month for indiscipline during the Copa America, scored the only goal as Palmeiras won 1-0 at Fluminense.

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