Brazil: Palmeiras wins, expands lead over Sao Paulo

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RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- Palmeiras overcame a tight Santos' defense to earn a decisive 3-1 away win Sunday to open a five-point lead in the Brazilian football league standings.

Palmeiras entered the match needing a win after three-time defending league champion Sao Paulo won its match earlier in the week to pull within two points.

After a scoreless first half, the pressure built on Palmeiras soon after the break when midfielder Luizinho got Santos on the board in the 54th minute. Luizinho fired in a hard right-footer from just inside the area after 17-year-old Neymeyer threaded a pass through two defenders on the left side with a dazzling display of footwork.

But Muricy Ramalho's club held its composure and struck back 10 minutes later when midfielder Diego Souza headed in a high, well-placed pass from Figueroa.

Palmeiras went on to aggressively expose the weaknesses in Santos defense, especially after the home team lost key defender Fabao to an injury.

Palmeiras' striker Robert knocked in a cross from Diego Souza in the 64th and Vagner Love sealed the win for Palmeiras finding the net from in front of goal after Robert put the ball through the legs of a defender.

"It was an important win. To be champion we have to win all the games. This round put us under pressure, but we did what we had to do," said Palmeiras captain Marcos.

Sao Paulo moved up to second place with 48 points in league play, managing a 2-1 road win on Wednesday against Nautico in Recife. The defending champions were down a goal heading into the second half, but strikes by Hernanes in the 59th and Hugo in the 89th gave the team the win.

Goias dropped two spots to fourth place with 45 points, losing a disappointing home match 3-1 Sunday to struggling Rio club Botafogo, which remains in 17th place.

Flamengo and Fluminense played their classic on Sunday in a packed Maracana stadium, but it was more pride than championship potential stoking the crowd.

Adriano scored in the 51st and 64th minutes with two hard shots to give Flamengo the 2-0 win and move the team up two spots to sixth place in league standings with 41 points.

Fluminense remains in last place.

In other matches this week, Atletico Paranaense beat Corinthians 3-1; Atletico Mineiro beat Barueri 2-1; Santo Andre got a 1-0 win over Vitoria; Coritiba eased past Internacional 2-0; and Cruzeiro drew 2-2 with Avai.

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