Campeonato Paulista wrap: Sao Paulo keep pace

Sao Paulo has kept in touch with the leading clubs of the Campeonato Paulista table with a 3-0 win over Guaratingueta on Thursday.

Lucas Silva, Willian Jose and Fernandinho secured the victory to keep Sao Paulo within five points of leaders Corinthians.

It took the hosts 41 minutes to open the scoring but it was worth the wait, with Silva running onto a chipped pass, side-stepping a defender in the box and then slotting the ball past Guaratingueta’s goalkeeper Jailson.

Jose extended the lead in the 59th minute with his ninth goal of the competition, when he got in behind the visitors’ defence and floated his shot over Jailson from the edge of the area.

Just three minutes later, substitute Fernandinho made it 3-0.

The 26-year-old striker ran onto a long pass from Sao Paulo’s defensive half and thumped his left-footed shot into the net.

Ponte Preta bounced back from a 6-1 thumping by Santos on Sunday to beat Botafogo 2-1 at home.

The visitors took the lead after 23 minutes when Uendel tapped home a wayward shot from a teammate.

Botafogo equalised 10 minutes later thanks to a header from Edson but Uendel ensured Ponte Preta went home with a win when he slotted his second off the match just seven minutes before half-time.

In the other Campeonato Paulista match on Thursday, Sao Caetano came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Oeste.

Oeste took the lead in the 21st minute through a goal from Fernandinho, before Serginho doubled the lead a minute after the break.

But the home side hit back just seven minutes later when Marcone scored and Ailton completed the comeback with a goal in the 62nd minute.