Brazilian Serie A: Sao Paulo go five clear, Santos net away point

12 June 2011 12:36

Sao Paulo moved five points clear atop the Brazil Serie A with a 3-1 home win over Gremio on Saturday.

At the Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo, the home fans were celebrating early as Casimiro scored a 13th minute opener for Sao Paulo.

But he soon turned from hero to villain, as he found the back of the net again, this time with an own goal early in the second half to level proceedings.

The hosts hit the lead 10 minutes later, when midfielder Marlos scored after 62 minutes and the three points were wrapped up when Jean scored late.

Gremio defender Rafael Marques was sent off in first-half stoppage time to add insult to injury as Sao Paulo made it four victories from as many attempts.

In other matches, third-placed Figueirense claimed a last-minute draw thanks to Aloisio’s 89th minute goal, which earned them a point in a 1-1 draw at Vasco Da Gama.

There was more late drama between Cruzeiro and Santos, with the latter also snaring a point away from home in a 1-1 draw.

Walter Montillo’s 55th minute spotkick looked to have given Cruziero all three points but Santos – who played more than 40 minutes with 10 men – salvaged a draw through Borges’ injury-time goal.

Avai claimed their first points of the season in a 2-2 home draw with America Mineiro.

Having lost all three matches of the season so far, Avai seemed destined for another loss until defender Cassio struck in injury time.