Campeonato Paulista wrap: Sao Paulo, Santos score crucial wins

Sao Paulo edged within a point of Palmeiras at the top of the Campeonato Paulista after they beat Corinthians 2-1 on Sunday.

In a battle of two of the division’s heavyweights, Sao Paulo needed to bounce back from a 3-2 loss at Paulista while Corinthians had extra motivation knowing a win could move them top.But it was not to be as Sao Paulo joined Corinthians in a tight battle at the top and kept the pressure on the league leaders.In a fiery match, Dagoberto gave Sao Paulo the lead at the Arena Barueri just four minutes before half-time to give his side a boost.Goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni then doubled the lead after 53 minutes, with the keeper’s free-kick marking the 100th goal of his career.Ceni holds the world record for goals scored by a goalkeeper and was booked for taking his shirt off amid the celebrations.He was not the only player booked with Corinthians’ Alessandro, Dentinho and Sao Paulo’s Dagoberto all sent off within a 10-minute period early in the second half.Dentinho managed to score six minutes before he was given his marching orders, but it was not enough for his side as Sao Paulo defeated their rivals for the first time in 12 meetings. Santos joined Sao Paulo and Corinthians on 34 points, one off the lead, with a 3-2 away win at strugglers Ituano.Jefferson fired the 17th-placed side into the lead after 23 minutes but goals before half-time from Tiago and Keirrison handed Santos the lead.The win looked wrapped up when Jonathan Cicero added a third and although Allan added a late consolation, Santos held on for a win that keeps them very much in title contention.In other matches, Linense thumped Botafogo 4-0 thanks to a double from Pedrao and strikes from Tarracha and Eder Marcelo, Americana won for the first time in seven with a 3-1 home triumph against Sao Bernardo and Ponte Preta and Paulista played out a goalless draw.