Campeonato Paulista wrap: Palmeiras snare crucial Santos victory

Palmeiras defeated reigning champions Santos 1-0 away from home on Sunday to remain one point clear in the Campeonato Paulista.

A goal from forward Kleber in the 79th minute at the Estadio Urbano Caldeira secured the win for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Palmeiras, who top of the league ahead of Sao Paulo.

At the other end of the table, bottom side Gremio Prudente secured a 3-1 win away to second-last team Santo Andre.

All the goals came after the break at the Estadio Bruno Jose Daniel, with strikes from midfielders Elivelton and Saldanha making it 2-0 to visitors Prudente.

Attacker Rychely pulled one back for Santo Andre with 10 minutes to go, but midfielder Alex Maranhao struck a third for Prudente in the 90th minute to make sure of all three points.

Prudente stay bottom of the table, but with the four clubs above them all level on 15 points, the win moves them just one point off safety.

Elsewhere, second-placed side Sao Paulo kept pace with Palmeiras courtesy of a 1-0 win at home to Mirassol.

Teenage midfielder Lucas Rodrigues, who made his full international debut for Brazil in their 2-0 win over Scotland last Tuesday, struck the only goal of the match in the 27th minute at the Arena Barueri.

Sao Paulo remain one point behind Palmeiras, with Mirassol a further 10 points back in seventh place.

Ponte Preta stayed fifth following a 1-0 win away to Bragantino.

Striker Thiago Luis, on loan from Santos, scored the winner 26 minutes into the match at the Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid.

Corinthians, who were shocked 4-0 at home to Linense last Monday, followed up that surprise defeat with a disappointing 0-0 draw away to Botafogo SP.

Two points dropped means Corinthians are now third, three points behind leaders Palmeiras and two back from Sao Paulo.