Campeonato Paulista wrap: Frontrunners hold sway

18 March 2013 00:55

Sao Paulo retained top spot in the Campeonato Paulista with a 3-2 home win against Oeste, while Ponte Preta kept the pressure on.

Sao Paulo made a great start to their match at the Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo on Sunday, with goals to Edson Silva and Rafael Toloi putting them 2-0 up just after the half-hour mark.

Ligger pulled one back for Oeste in first-half stoppage time, but the margin was out to two goals once more when Luis Fabiano netted with 20 minutes to play.

Wanderson scored another for Oeste to ensure some anxious moments for the Sao Paulo faithful as the match drew to a close, but the home side held on.

Sao Paulo moved to 26 points, level on points and goal difference with second-placed Ponte Preta, who leapfrogged Santos into second thanks to a 2-1 win at home over Atletico Sorocaba.

Cleber Reis and William had Ponte Preta 2-0 up before the half-hour, and although Ton scored for the visitors early in the second half, the hosts managed to claim all three points.

In Sunday's other games, Sao Caetano failed to move off the bottom of the table when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home against sixth-placed Palmeiras.

And Paulista had a late goal from Marcelo Macedo to thank for their 1-1 draw at home against Botafogo, who opened the scoring in the 13th minute through Nunes.