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Brasileiro Round-Up – Fluminense’s Great Escape Gathers Momentum While Points Are Dropped At The Top

Goal.com’s Tim Sturtridge runs the rule over the latest action in the Brazilian top flight...

Nov 9, 2009 6:00:04 AM

Ronaldo _ Miranda - São Paulo x Corinthians

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Ronaldo _ Miranda - São Paulo x Corinthians

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34 ª Rodada

Wednesday, 4th November

Grêmio 1 - 1 São Paulo

Saturday, 7th November

Sport Recife 2 - 3 Cruzeiro

Vitória 0 - 1 Avaí

Santos 3 - 1 Náutico

Sunday, 8th November

Atlético-MG 1 - 3 Flamengo

Corinthians 2 - 0 Santo André

Fluminense 1 - 0 Palmeiras

Atlético-PR 2 - 0 Goiás

Barueri 1 - 1 Internacional

Botafogo 2 - 0 Coritiba

Grêmio 1 - 1 São Paulo

A share of the spoils was all São Paulo required to put them top of the league on Wednesday night. Ricardo Gomes’ team had the chance to put even more daylight between themselves and the chasing pack but had to settle for a point after being reduced to eight men.

The home side took a first half lead through Rafael Marques but this was quickly cancelled out by a Dagoberto strike for the visitors.

São Paulo’s goalscorer was then dismissed by referee Jaílson Macedo Freitas in the second half along with team-mates Borges and Jean.

The point, along with Palmeiras and Atlético-MG both suffering defeats this week, means São Paulo occupy top spot in the league. However, a single point from the game does little for Grêmio’s Copa Libertadores aspirations.

Sport Recife 2 - 3 Cruzeiro

Fans of Cruzeiro had some scary moments on Saturday as they found themselves 2-0 down within 15 minutes to the league’s bottom club. Adílson Batista’s side battled back, however, and finished the weekend having reeled in the clubs above them.

A quick fire brace from Wilson established an unlikely lead for the hosts, before Thiago Ribeiro pulled one back to make it 2-1 at half time.

Leonardo Silva then equalised for Cruzeiro in the second half and as the confidence drained from the home side, Guerron popped up with the winner.

Sport’s cause was not aided by the dismissals of Andrade and Hamilton and another defeat brings relegation to Brazil’s second tier even closer.

Cruzeiro meanwhile are just outside the top four and a good run between now and the end of the season could even bring home the league title.

Vitória 0 - 1 Avaí

Another home defeat leaves Vitoria facing up to an unhappy four game losing streak, while a win for Paulo Silas’ side further cements their place in the top half of the league.

The only goal of the balanced encounter came ten minutes from time as William popped up to give the visitors the lead. The experienced striker benefited from some magical wing-play from Assis in the build up to the goal.

Even with their fourth defeat on the bounce Vitoria are still looking a safe bet to stay up this year, although the fans will want the side to break their losing habit sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately, though, for Vitoria the next round of games sees them away to league leaders São Paulo.

Santos 3 - 1 Náutico

A brace from talented youngster Neymar did little to ease Náutico’s relegation fears, as the team second from bottom went down to defeat at Santos.

Kléber Pereira started the scoring for the hosts on the half hour and after taking the lead, Vanderlei Luxemburgo’s side never looked in too much trouble.

A consolation spotkick for Náutico was rammed home by Ailton but Neymar’s goals, either side of the penalty, ensured it counted for little.

Games are running out fast for Náutico, if they are to stave off relegation to Brazil’s Serie B.

Atlético-MG 1 - 3 Flamengo

Brazil’s third and fourth placed teams played out a thrilling encounter in Belo Horizonte, which eventually left the hosts empty handed.

Petkovic's strike within ten minutes got Flamengo off to the perfect start and their advantage was doubled by Maldonado shortly before half time.

Atlético-MG looked fired up when they emerged for the second period and promptly pulled one back through Ricardinho. With both sides continuing to press, it was obvious that the game had at least one more goal in it but at which end it would come was impossible to tell.

With Atlético-MG’s Diego Tardelli leading the scoring in the Brazilian top flight, the home side always carried a threat. However Tardelli is no longer alone at the top of the charts, as Flamengo’s Adriano joined him when he struck his 18th of the season to make it 3-1.

Corinthians 2 - 0 Santo André

A trip to Corinthians ended in more misery for Santo André, as they face up to the very real possibility of relegation at the end of the season.

Goals in each half did the damage as Corinthians cruise along in midtable, knowing that their place in next year’s Copa Libertadores is secured thanks to winning the Copa do Brasil.

Corinthians took the lead in the first half through Ronaldo, as O Fenômeno took his league tally to 11 for the season. The home side’s advantage was doubled midway through the second half.

The defeat leaves Santo André six points from safety with four games of the season remaining.

Fluminense 1 - 0 Palmeiras

Fluminense eased their own relegation worries slightly, by picking up maximum points against yet another of the league’s high flyers.

If last week’s win at Cruzeiro caught anyone by surprise, then this win against another team of title challengers confirms that Fluminense are no mugs.

Going into the game Palmeiras knew that a win would return them to the top of table, the position they have held for three months of this current campaign.

However, after strikes against Cruzeiro and finding the net in the week in a Copa Sudamericana quarter-final, Fluminense’s Fred got himself on the scoresheet again.

A single strike from the smoking hot Fluminense forward, just shy of the hour mark, gave the home side maximum points from the game.

Although Fluminense remain five points from safety with four games to go. confidence is high in the camp as they tackle their own mission impossible. At the other end, Palmeiras must start stringing the wins together again or they will miss out on the title.

Atlético-PR 2 - 0 Goiás

A comfortable home win helped against Goiás helped Atlético-PR take a vital step towards survival in this season’s Brazilian top flight.

A superb strike from Marcinho got things going for the home side in the first half when Harlei was left with no answers as the ball flew past him.

Wallyson added a second, after Goiás had seen João Paulo withdrawn after a second bookable offence.

Goiás continue their free fall down the table after suffering their third straight defeat, while Atlético-PR climb to seven points above the drop zone.

Barueri 1 - 1 Internacional

A point away from home does little for Internacional and their quest for qualification to the Copa Libertadores.

The away side were forced to settle for a single point, however, and even had to come from behind to get it.

Marcio Careca gave the home side the lead early on in the first half and Barueri dug in to hold their advantage.

Internacional starting taking a few more risks in the second half and were duly rewarded when Fabiano Eller struck their equaliser.

The result leaves the visitors three points shy of the top four and desperately in need of a victory when they host Santos next week.

Botafogo 2 - 0 Coritiba

Botafogo had much the better of this basement battle and were rewarded with a well deserved victory.

A goal in each half was more than enough to see off the visitors as the home side seemed quicker to the ball all evening.

A first half strike from Renan and a goal 20 minutes from time by Lucio Flavio secured the points as Botafogo eased their own relegation worries for another week at least.

The result sees both teams hovering about the drop zone tied on 41 points with in-form Fluminense breathing down their necks.

Tim Sturtridge, Goal.com

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