Brazilian Serie A wrap: Corinthians, Botafogo falter

Corinthians failed to regain the lead in Brazil’s Serie A after going down 3-1 at home to 10-man Santos on Sunday.

After being displaced by Vasco da Gama and Sao Paulo a day earlier, Corinthians needed to win at Estadio do Pacaembu if they were to return to the top of the table.

They made the perfect start when former Sporting Lisbon striker Liedson opened the scoring 12 minutes into the match.

Attacking midfielder Ganso returned fire to level the scoring eight minutes before half-time.

Striker Borges was on target in the 53rd minute to make it 2-1 to Santos.

The away side went down to 10 men when goal-scorer Ganso was shown a straight red card on 66 minutes.

Corinthians might have been expected to exploit the man advantage and force an equaliser.

But it was Santos who struck again, with an own-goal from defender Chicao scuppering the hosts’ chances of mounting a comeback.

The defeat leaves Corinthians third, two points behind leaders Vasco.

Santos are 11th, with a third victory in succession continuing their recovery from their slow start to the season.

Botafogo also missed a chance to close the gap on the leaders after they were held 1-1 at home to Flamengo.

The home side had led courtesy of Sebastian Abreu’s 25th-minute strike, but Jael levelled four minutes into the second half to secure a point for Flamengo.

Botafogo are fourth following the draw, two points behind Corinthians, with Flamengo four points back in sixth place.

Souza’s brace helped Bahia to a surprise 3-0 win over Fluminense, for whom defender Wellington Rodrigues conceded a 58th-minute own-goal before being sent off with 20 minutes remaining.

Palmeiras gained a point in a 1-1 draw away to Avai, with Chico equalising for the visitors following Batista’s early opener.

Palmeiras had both midfielder Rivaldo and defender Gerley sent off, while Rafael Coelho received his marching orders for the hosts.

Emerson’s second-half equaliser helped Coritiba draw 1-1 at Internacional, who had led through an Oscar goal inside the first minute of the match.

Cruzeiro were held 0-0 at home by America Mineiro, while Figueirense also played out a goalless draw in their match at Atletico Paranaense.