Santos relegation fears eased

The Brasileirao’s leading marksman Kleber Pereira scored twice to help Santos to a 2-0 win over Vitoria which pulled them out of the relegation zone.

Kleber, who took his tally for the campaign to 17 goals, drilled the ball home in the fourth minute from Rodrigo Souto’s pass, and pounced late in Wednesday evening’s game after the Vitoria defence failed to clear a cross from the right.

Pele’s former club climbed to 15th in the 20-team league, with 26 points from 24 games. The bottom four go down.

Champions Sao Paulo dropped to sixth after a 1-1 draw at Atletico Mineiro. Borges put O Tricolor Paulista ahead in the 18th minute, scoring with a clever flick at the near post from Richarlyson’s cross, before Marcio Araujo levelled for the hosts with nine minutes left.

Sao Paulo have 39 points, nine behind leaders Gremio.