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The Sao Paulo trio all found the net as Sao Paulo adapted to life after the departure of former coach Emerson Leao and earned a valuable victory in Belo Horizonte

Cruzeiro were knocked off the summit of the Brasileiro courtesy of goals from Luis Fabiano, Lucas Moura and Jadson in an electric game at the Independencia.

After the dismissal of Emerson Leao during the week, temporary coach Milton Cruz set Sao Paulo out in a 3-5-2 formation. The Tricolor Paulista wing-backs were pushing forward to great effect and after 12 minutes it led to a goal as Douglas' cross was poorly controlled by Rafael Donato on his debut and Luis Fabiano pounced to slot the ball home. Donato however immediately atoned for his error as he nodded in from Walter Montillo's corner just one minute later.

But after just another three minutes the visitors regained their lead after a fortunate ricochet saw the ball land at Lucas' feet and after wrong footing Fabio he tucked the ball into the bottom corner. Cruzeiro took control of possession but failed to create anything to pull level and shortly after the break Sao Paulo improved upon their lead. Maicon slipped in Cortez and despite Fabio saving his effort the ball fell straight to Jadson and he produced an accurate cross-goal finish. The deficit was reduced moments later when Donato popped up at the back post again and produced a diving header to halve the deficit. There could have been yet more goals but Fabio saved a Luis Fabiano penalty before Tinga and Wallyson both missed chances to restore parity.

Despite raucos support from the home crowd the Raposa were unable to draw level and they fell to fourth position with their first defeat of the campaign while Sao Paulo rose to sixth place.


Vasco da Gama came from behind twice at the Sao Januario to narrowly avoid an embarrassing defeat at the hands of recently promoted Ponte Preta.

The visitors started brightly and after on-loan youngster Nikao saw his free kick parried onto the bar by Fernando Prass, Roger beat the keeper with a tidy finish after a great first touch from Joao Paulo Silva's cross. In the 21st minute when Alecsandro levelled when he got on the end of Felipe's cross with a diving header but six minutes later Roger lashed in a fantastic strike from the top of the box to restore the Campinas side's lead.

Vasco set about turning the game around in the second half and the scores were level once more inside four second-half minutes. Lucas' nightmare began as he failed to clear Alecsandro's cross with Eder Luis lurking behind to put the ball past Edson Bastos. The defender then brought down substitute William Matheus inside the area and Diego Souza competently dispatched from the spot with 13 minutes remaining. The Gigante de Colina were fortunate to regain their lead but they managed to restrict the opportunities of their opponents thereafter.

The win puts the Rio de Janeiro side in second place while Ponte Preta remain in the top half in 10th position.

Nautico 0-2 Fluminense

Fluminense are now the only undefeated team in the league after triumphing over Nautico 2-0 at the Estadio dos Aflitos.

Diego Cavalieri had an extremely busy afternoon and was under pressure from the off. Elicarlos saw his powerful effort veer wide after a touch from Anderson before the keeper thwarted Souza from wide on the left. The midfielder missed the target once more before Rhayner blazed over in a one-on-one with Cavalieri. Th eir profligacy in front of goal came back to haunt them as Samuel headed home from Deco's free kick in the 31st minute.

Before half time Cavalieri produced another two astounding saves to deny Souza from tieing the game. Rhayner, Kim and Martinez all failed to find a way to get the ball past the Fluminense keeper and once again they were made to pay as Samuel turned in his second goal after Wellington Nem's initial shot was saved. The 21-year-old striker proved he could step up to the plate in the absence of regular strikers Fred, Rafael Sobis and Rafael Moura who all missed out through injury.

Flu's consistent form sees them sit in third position, well above Nautico who remain just adrift of the relegation zone in 15th place.


Flamengo recovered from an early scare to defeat bottom club Atletico Goianiense 3-2 at the Engenhao.

After sacking Adilson Batista as coach in the opening stages of the season, the Dragao have been in abysmal form. Yet they took the lead in Rio as Felipe supplied an emphatic finish after plucking Joilson's lofted pass out of the sky. In the 35th minute the Rubro-Negro equalised as Renato Abreu absolutely hammered in a free kick from 25 yards. With the scores level at half time Joel Santana opted to introduce 17-year-old Adryan in attempt to provide more creativity to his side.

It was a move that paid dividends as the youngster met Luiz Antonio's square pass in the area and guided the ball past Marcio with his left foot to score his first ever Brasileirao goal and only his second as a professional. It did not take long for the hosts to double their lead and it came from a familiar source as Renato curled a magnificent 30-yard free kick into the bottom corner for his second of the night. Felipe set up a tense ending when he slotted home from Elias' through-ball but Fla held on to ensure they took all three points.

Santana will have been pleased to get the win but it could still prove to be his final game in charge of the side if the club can find a new coach soon. Aletico remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just two points from seven games.


Jo finished off a mesmeric play by Bernard to move Atletico Mineiro to the top of the league with a 1-0 win away at Gremio. Dida kept his second clean sheet in as many games as Portuguesa held Santos to a 0-0 draw. Coritiba rested some players ahead of the Copa do Brasil final but threw away a two-goal lead and lost 3-2 to Sport Recife. Internacional could only muster a 1-1 draw away to Bahia while Palmeiras got their first win of the season after coming from behind to beat Figueriense 3-1.

Player of the Round

On another day Fluminense could have taken a pounding from Nautico, but with Diego Cavalieri between the sticks they looked unbeatable. The keeper was in indomitable form as he diverted shot after shot away from the goal, displaying tremendous reflexes and anticipation. Two fantastic saves from Souza as well as a fingertip stop to deny Martinez from a dead-ball attempt offered his team a solid base throughout the game. Fortunately young striker Samuel proved more clinical than his opponents at the other end to keep up the Rio club's unbeaten start to the season.