Campeonato Paulista wrap: Neymar stars in Santos win

Neymar bagged a brace as Santos thumped an eight-man Ponte Preta outfit 6-1 in the Campeonato Paulista on Saturday.

The highly rated youngster opened the scoring on 27 minutes and fellow Brazilian, Ganso, netted seven minutes later.

Ponte Preta’s Uendel pulled a goal back on 51 minutes but a disastrous 30 minutes followed for the visitors.

Firstly, Ferron scored an own goal before Edu Dracena made it 4-1 to Santos.

Cicinho was sent off on 63 minutes, before Dracena added to his account and Guilherme was also given his marching orders.

Neymar’s second extended the lead to five goals but there was still time for Ponte Preta to have another man sent off with Renato Caja leaving the pitch eight minutes early.

Santos’ win saw them climb to third on the table.

In other matches, table-toppers Corinthians defeated relegation-threatened Botafogo SP 1-0 at home, while a Lenilson brace gave Linense a 2-1 away win at an out-of-form Paulista.