Narrow win keeps Corinthians top – Adriano leaves Flamengo

Chicão on target for Corinthians

Chicão’s well-taken free kick was the difference between Corinthians and Fluminense on Sunday in the Pacaembu. The 1-0 win maintained the Musketeers’ 100% record but at times Mano Menezes’ side rode their luck against a Fluminense team that dominated chunks of possession.

Avaí are now second after Roberto and Robson secured a 2-0 win over Vasco in Celso Roth’s first game in charge for the Rio club.

Despite an in-house battle between Herrera and Caio who were both sent off, Botafogo easily overcame Goiás in the Engenhão. As well as fighting with his young team mate, Herrera also got on the score sheet alongside Lúcio Flávio and Somália.

Palmeiras went 4^th after beating Grêmio 4-2 in the Palestra Itália. Ewerthon had given the Greens a two-goal lead before the travellers equalized through Jonas and Hugo. But goals from Maurício Ramos and Cleiton Xavier earned the points for Palmeiras. The match was the last in their own stadium for some time as the Palestra will be redeveloped and is not expected to open until 2013.

Ceará’s good start continued with a 1-0 win over Copa do Brasil finalists, Vitória. Washington got the game’s only goal.

Holders Flamengo managed their first win of the new campaign. But less than 4000 paying fans turned up to see the Rubro Negros beat Prudente 3-1. Vagner Love grabbed a brace from the penalty spot and Juan weighed in with another. Wanderlei scored Prudente’s consolation goal.

Adriano has played his last game for Fla and it seems that Roma might be willing to take a chance on the errant striker. Adriano was with Flamengo for a year, scoring 35 times in 47 appearances. But the forward also missed training 13 times and was rarely out of the news for his off-field activities. Adriano’s move could also spark a string of departures from Flamengo. Keeper and captain, Bruno, has already said he’s had enough at the club. Other players, such as Vagner Love, are also on short loan contracts.

São Paulo came out on to in the battle between the two Libertadores semi-finalists. Fernandão scored his first goal for his new club against Internacional – the team where he came to fame. Hernanes scored the other. São Paulo, had keeper Rógerio Ceni to thanks for the points.

Goiás are now the only team without a single point to their name and time could be running out for coach Emerson Leão.

Goals here

See the rest of the Campeonato Brasileiro round 3 results and the table here