Corinthians' lead at the top of the Brazilian Campeonato was cut to a single point at the weekend after a shock 3-2 defeat to lowly Avai. The league leaders took the lead on the half-hour mark through Emerson but Avai came out firing in the second-half and soon drew level thanks to William. Rafael Coelho then found the net twice to put Avai in charge and Corinthinas could only manage a late consolation from Jorge Henrique.
Second-placed Flamengo remain the only undefeated side in the top flight after Ronaldinho inspired them to a 2-0 win over his former club Gremio. The former Barcelona star, who is the top scorer in the championship with nine goals, teed up Thiago Neves for the opening goal and then grabbed the second after a goalkeeping error from Victor.
Sao Paulo were unable to capitalise on Corinthians' second straight defeat as they lost 2-0 to Vasco da Gama - Eder Luis and Felipe grabbing the goals in the second-half.
Following their 5-4 humdinger with Flamengo, Santos were involved in another thriller but again came out on the losing side, this time going down 3-2 at Atletico Paranaense. Cleber Santana and Manoel got the hosts off to a perfect start with goals inside the opening 10 minutes but Neymar and Borges levelled the match for Santos. Unfortunately for the Copa Libertadores champions, they were unable to hold on for a point or nick a winner as Atletico midfielder Marcinho headed home in injury time.
Fluminense leapfrogged Ceara in the table after comfortably beating them 4-0, with Fred, Diego Souza, Rafael Sobis and Rafael Moura all finding the net - the latter three after Heleno was sent off on the stroke of half-time.
Meanwhile, Palmeiras moved level on points with Sao Paulo after holding on to beat Atletico Mineiro 3-2.Marcos Assuncao opened the scoring for the home side after 14 minutes but Magno Alves struck back within a minute to level the scores. Luan made it 2-1 Palmeiras on the hour mark and Patrik then doubled the advantage on 78 minutes. Atletico again responded quickly, this time through Wesley, but they were unable to find an equaliser in the final 10 minutes.
Sebastian Abreu marked his return from international duty with Uruguay by scoring the only goal of the game as Botafogo beat Cruzeiro 1-0. After a lacklustre first-half, Abreu secured the three points in the 55th minute with a well-struck shot from outside the area.
Coritiba enjoyed a 3-1 win at America MG thanks to a brace from Marcos Aurelio and a goal from Bill, while Internacional and Atletico Goianiense drew 0-0. In the battle between newly promoted Figueirense and Bahia, it was the latter who emerged as 3-1 winners due to goals from Reinaldo, Avine and Jones.
