Marcio Emerson put Corinthians ahead in the 18th minute but goals by Michel Luan (34) and Jose De Santana (51) gave the hosts victory as they maintained their five-point lead in sixth.

Flamengo could have leapfrogged Corinthians with victory over Vasco da Gama.

Their task was made harder when Silva Welinton Souza was sent off four minutes before half-time but neither side could make the breakthrough.

Flamengo are a point behind Corinthians with Sao Paulo a further point adrift after they drew 1-1 at Santos.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men when Junior Carlinhos Paraiba was sent off in the 24th minute but they went ahead on the stroke of half-time through Da Silva Lucas Moura.

However, they could not hold on and Paulo Henrique Ganso equalised with 10 minutes to go.

Walter Montillo scored three minutes from time to guide Cruzeiro to a 2-1 win at struggling Atletico Mineiro.

Montillo had put the visitors ahead in the 11th minute before Ferreira Fillipo Soutto levelled 11 minutes after the break.

Atletico though could not hold on for a vital point as Montillo intervened.

The defeat was compounded when Avai leapfrogged them with a late 3-2 win at Figueirense.

Maciel Ygor put the hosts ahead in the 18th minute with Souza Cassio equalising (38) but Julio Cesar restored the lead a minute before half-time.

Souza William levelled the scores on the hour and then grabbed the winner with four minutes left.

Gomes Thiago Humberto (16), Dos Santos Felip Azevedo (80) and Jose Edmilson De Moraes (90) guided Ceara to a 3-0 win over Bahia.

Gremio beat Internacional 2-1 thanks to a goal by Vicente Marquinhos (16) and a Dos Santos Douglas penalty (79).

Marcos Indio (26) scored for Internacional.