Grêmio go two points clear in the Brasileiro

Grêmio maintained their lead at the top of the Campeonato Brasileiro after seeing off Vitória 2-0 in the estádio Olímpico.

William Magrão struck early in the first period but Grêmio had to wait all the way to the 88^th minute before Reinaldo secured the points. This was a blow to Vitória’s ambitions and doubly painful for coach Vágner Mancini who was sacked by Grêmio earlier this year.

Celso Roth’s men have now held pole position for four rounds. See the highlights here

Flamengo started the day without a win in five. That became six after Cruzeiro pulled off their second away victory in the estádio Maracanã in a week. Fla had gone in front when new boy Vandinho headed home after coming off the bench. The striker scored 27 for Série B outfit Avaí before moving to Rio last week. But his arrival coincides with Flamengo’s freefall down the table. To make matters worse for Fla, forward Diego Tardelli now faces three months out after breaking his arm. Guilherme and Rômulo were on target for Cruzeiro.

Palmeiras moved to 3^rd after beating bottom side Ipatinga 2-1 in the estádio Ipatingão. Valdívia came in for some criticism from coach Vanderlei Luxemburg on Wednesday. But the Chilean responded with two excellent strikes. Alex Mineiro could have made it eleven for the season but put his penalty wide. Ipatinga’s talented Adeílson grabbed their only goal when he reacted quicker than Palmeiras’ rather static defence.

São Paulo made easy work of Vasco in the Morumbi and in doing so moved into the top four for the first time. Debut boy André Lima scored twice – although replays showed that both his goals were marginally offside. Goalkeeper Rogério Ceni also got a brace. Ceni’s fired home from a free-kick – his first from a set-piece since he scored against Sport in November last year. The São Paulo captain now has 82 (official) goals to his name. See the highlights

Coritiba added to Santos’ woes after winning 3-1 away in the Vila Belmiro. The highly-rated Kerrison grabbed a hat-trick. Maicon Leite got the only goal for Santos. Coritiba came up from Série B at the end of 2007. Dorival junior’s team were hit by injuries early on but now players are returning to fitness, Coritiba are slowly edging their way up the table.

Another team in form are Botafogo. Ney Franco’s side managed their first away win after battering a troubled Atlético Paranaense 3-0 in the estádio Arena de Baixada. This was Atlético’s first defeat at home – a result that left them in the bottom four.  Roberto Fernandes’ job is now on the line.

Internacional also picked up their first away win of the season after disposing of lowly Fluminense 2-1 in the estádio Maracanã. The Beira-Rio side were electric in the first-half. Nilmar was outstanding scoring both goals. But Tite’s team came out after the break content to defend their lead and Flu had chances to equalize – though their only goal came from a lucky rebound that struck Somalia. Somehow, coach Renato Gaucho is still in the post. Flu have another difficult fixture on Wednesday when they face an in-form São Paulo in Rio.

One-time leaders, Náutico, continued their downward spiral after losing 2-1 at home to Figueirense. Náutico are now seven without a win.
See all the results and the Campeonato round 17 table here 

See all the goals here