Click here to see the 2011 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table.
Vasco da Gama 3-1 Ceara
Elton tapped Vasco in front on 52 minutes after brilliant play down the right from Eder Luis, who got on the scoresheet himself when he also finished from close range on the hour mark.
Ceara got a goal back through Washington on 64′ after Vasco ‘keeper Fernando Prass was caught out of position, but a minute later Elton restored the hosts’ two goal advantage, deflecting a low cross-cum-shot into the net.
The win sees Vasco move up to second in the table, just two points behind league leaders Corinthians.
Botafogo 3-1 Palmeiras
Botafogo got off to a flying start, taking the lead just three minutes in when German Herrera was left completely unmarked to head in from a corner. They doubled their advantage through Gustavo on 23′, who prodded home from inside the six yard box.
Maicosuel added a third just after the hour, beating the last defender and firing a powerful finish in at the near post. Palmeiras grabbed a consolation through Marcos Assuncao in injury time when the midfielder’s long-range free-kick deceived the flat-footed Palmeiras goalkeeper.
Botafogo are up to third while Palmeiras stay in sixth place.
Avai 3-2 Flamengo
Flamengo lost ground on the leaders, dropping from second to fourth with a surprise defeat at struggling Avai.
Robson put Avai in front after only four minutes, firing in a low shot from 12 yards. Flamengo equalised through Ronaldinho, who scored a bizarre goal direct from a corner in the 37th minute.
The home side retook the lead on 68′ with a header from Lincoln, before Rafael Coelho fired in three minutes later to make it 3-1. Ronaldinho managed to score again from close range on 88′, but it was too little too late for Flamengo.
Sao Paulo 1-2 Fluminense
Sao Paulo also slipped down the table, and are now in fifth place, five points behind Corinthians after losing to Fluminense.
Manuel Lanzini gave Flu the lead on 18 minutes, placing his finish accurately into the top corner from ten yards. It remained 1-0 until the 64th minute, when Rafael Sobis converted Fred’s knock-down.
Rogerio Ceni scored from the spot with quarter of an hour remaining to give Sao Paulo hope, but their joy was short lived as Jean was sent off on 82′, allowing Fluminense to hold on for the win.
