Campeonato Paulista wrap: Sao Paulo move further ahead

Sao Paulo have extended their lead in the Campeonato Paulista with a 3-1 win over Botafogo, while Corinthians kept their unbeaten streak going.

Lucio’s long-range free-kick got Sao Paulo going at Botafogo’s Estadio Santa Cruz on Sunday as the visitors claimed their 12th win of the Campeonato Paulista and moved four points clear of second-placed Ponte Preta.

Sao Paulo could stretch their lead to seven points on Wednesday as they have a game in hand – a trip to 18th-placed Uniao Barbarense.

In a scoreless opening half, Botafogo were reduced to 10 men after defender Ze Antonio was sent off in just the 22nd minute.

With 17 minutes gone in the second half, the hosts lost another player with Andre Andrade copping a second yellow card before Sao Paulo’s Rodrigo Caio was red carded three minutes later.

Lucio put Sao Paulo in front in the 74th minute, curling a low free-kick around Botafogo’s wall and into the net, although Botafogo’s goalkeeper Rafael Santos should have done better as the ball bounced just in front of him.

Just six minutes later, Wellington burst forward and set up Aloisio on the edge of the area and the 24-year-old forward turned on the spot before striking the ball into the top corner.

Another driving run from Ademilson in the 85th minute ended with the teenager slotting his shot past Santos, wrapping up Sao Paulo’s victory, despite Dimba adding a consolation goal for the home side in stoppage time.

Corinthians stretched their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions with a 2-0 triumph over Sao Bernardo thanks to goals from Jorge Henrique and Paolo Guerrero.

In other Campeonato Paulista results, Palmeiras defeated Ponte Preta 2-1 and Atletico Sorocaba knocked off Mirassol 3-2.