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Corinthians extended their lead at the top of the Brazilian Campeonato despite having two men sent off against Gremio. The league leaders were cruising at 3-1 thanks to goals from Chicao, Paulinho and Ramon Motta but then saw Liedson and Edenilson sent off for second bookings. However, despite Andre Lima adding to Douglas' first-half strike, Gremio could not force an equaliser in the latter stages of the match.

Flamengo slipped down to fourth in the table after their miserable run of form continued with a 3-2 loss to lowly Avai. The defeat means Flamengo have not won in five league matches and they are four points off the pace at the top. Ronaldinho struck in either half - one goal coming directly from a corner - for the Rio de Janeiro club but Avai came out on top thanks to efforts from Robinho, Lincoln and Rafael Coelho.

Vasco da Gama displaced Flamengo in second spot after a brace from Elton and a goal from Eder Luis helped them beat Ceara 3-1 - Washington grabbing the visitors' lone goal. The Vasco players took to the field carrying a banner in support of their coach Ricardo who is in intensive care after suffering a stroke earlier in the week.

The most dramatic match of the weekend was in Porto Alegre where Santos came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Internacional. Bolivar headed the hosts into an early lead and Leandro Damiao then doubled the advantage before half-time. When Oscar converted a penalty midway through the second-half it looked as though the points were sealed but Santos had other ideas. Borges grabbed their first goal on 75 minutes when he beat the goalkeeper to a header and the same player scored a curling equaliser 10 minutes later after Alan Kardec netted to make it 3-2.

Botafogo moved up to third in the table after they racked up their third straight win by beating Palmeiras 3-1. German Herrera got the Rio club off to the perfect start with an early goal and Gustavo made it 2-0 before the interval. Maicosuel secured the points for Botafogo on the hour-mark and Marcos Assuncao's late strike was just a consolation for Palmeiras.

Fluminense bounced back from two successive defeats by picking up an impressive 2-1 triumph at Sao Paulo. Manuel Lanzini and Rafael Sobis scored either side of half-time for the visitors and they held on despite a Rogerio Ceni's penalty.

Mancini scored the only goal of the game as Atletico Mineiro ended a six-match winless run by beating Atletico Paranaense 1-0 and Figueirense recorded arguably the most impressive win of the round as they won 4-2 at Cruzeiro. Julio Cesar and Elias struck in the first-half for the visitors and the former rounded off the scoring after Wellington also scored for Figueirense. Charles managed two goals for the hosts, who slip down into the bottom-half of the table.

Coritiba were beaten 3-1 by Atletico Goianiense as Marcio, Agenor and Anselmo all found the back of the net.