Campeonato Paulista wrap: Ponte Preta down Santos, go top

Santos crashed to a 3-1 defeat against new Campeonato Paulista leaders Ponte Preta with superstar Neymar receiving a first-half red card.

Santos crashed to a 3-1 defeat against new Campeonato Paulista leaders Ponte Preta with superstar Neymar receiving a first-half red card.

The Brazil international was shown his marching orders, along with Ponte Preta’s Artur, after the two were involved in an altercation just before half-time.

Ponte Preta were up 1-0 at this stage after Bruno Silva’s 12th-minute strike, while substitute Alemao hit a second-half brace either side of Santos attacker Andre’s goal.

After being clear on top before the round, Santos drop to fourth position with Ponte Preta moving to first, two points clear of second-placed Linense, who enjoyed a 3-2 away victory over Atletico Sorocaba.

Following Willian Simoes’ straight red card in the 15th minute for Sorocaba, Linense took the lead as Lenilson converted from the spot.

The midfielder completed his brace four minutes later as Linense looked to run away with the game.

Sorocaba’s Rogelio Avila scored on the stroke of half-time to keep his side in with a chance before Leandro Brasilia made it 3-1 on 96 minutes.

Amazingly, Sorocaba pulled another back in the 105th minute because of a bloated injury-time period, but there was not enough time for an extraordinary equaliser.

Corinthians relinquished a lead but then salvaged a draw in their 2-2 home draw against Palmeiras.

The home side took the lead after 18 minutes when Emerson Sheik found the net but goals either side of half-time to Palmeiras’ Vilson and Vinicius turned the match in the visitors favour.

But former AC Milan star Alexandre Pato laid on the assist for Romarinho’s 73rd-minute equaliser to ensure both sides remained deadlocked on points and goal difference in seventh and eighth positions.

Elsewhere, Oeste got their second consecutive win as they defeated Penapolense 2-0 in front of their home fans.