Campeonato Paulista wrap: Sao Paulo slay Santos

19 March 2012 01:23

Sao Paulo have moved within a point of Paulista leaders Palmeiras with a 3-2 win over fellow title-challengers Santos on Sunday.

In a pulsating match, the home side took the lead on three separate occasions to overcome Santos.

Sao Paulo's Casimiro scored the opening goal of the game in the eighth minute when his long shot deflected off a Santos defender's head, leaving the visitors' goalkeeper Rafael stranded.

Edu Dracena thumped home a loose ball for Santos after a corner six minutes after half-time before the home side took the lead again thanks to a penalty from Luis Fabiano.

Neymar was the next on the score sheet when he slid the ball home from a tight angle in the 76th minute but Santos could not hold on for a draw, with Lucas Silva scoring the winner for Sao Paulo with four minutes to go.

The victory means Sao Paulo are now on 31 points, one point behind Palmeiras and ahead of Corinthians on goal difference.

Santos are fourth on 27 points.

Corinthians missed the chance to move above the Paulista leaders after a 3-3 draw with bottom-placed club Comercial.

In their third match without a win, Corinthians were lucky to even get a draw, scoring twice in the last six minutes to deny the home side victory.

In other results on Sunday, Oeste beat Portuguesa 3-2, Paulista defeated XV de Piracicaba 2-1, Cantanduvense drew 2-2 with Linense, while Bragantino and Botafogo's match ended 1-1.