Champs Flu see lead trimmed

Fluminense saw their advantage at the top of the Brazilian Campeonato reduced to seven points as they drew 1-1 at Sport Recife on Sunday. Fred put the league leaders in front after 28 minutes, but the home side equalised on the stroke of half-time through Felipe Azevedo. That allowed second-placed Gremio to close the gap courtesy of a 4-2 win at Figueirense. Gremio looked to be cruising to victory when Elano (24), Jose Ze Roberto (43) and Josef Souza (45) put them 3-0 up at half-time. However, a 65th-minute penalty from Aloisio and Jean Deretti's strike four minutes later meant the visitors needed a fourth goal from Leandro (71) to seal the win. Atletico Mineiro remain a point behind Gremio in third after a 3-2 win at Botafogo which saw both teams finish with 10 men. Caldeira Bernard's 15th-minute opener was cancelled out by Antonio Carlos (28) and Botafogo took the lead just two minutes later through Elkeson. Atletico's hopes suffered a blow midway through the second half when Junior Cesar was sent off, but the 10 men hit back through Felisbino Richarlyson (83) and, after Marques Lucas was sent off five minutes later, Araujo Rever snatched the winner moments later. Elsewhere, Bahia and Nautico Recife drew 1-1 after Santana Gabriel's 52nd-minute penalty was cancelled out by Dimba's equaliser 11 minutes from time. And Cruzeiro won 2-1 at home to Coritiba thanks to an early goal from Tinga and Leandro Guerriero's strike on the hour mark. Everton Ribeiro scored a last-minute consolation for Coritiba. Portuguesa claimed a 2-0 win on the road at Internacional, with Luis Ricardo opening the scoring after 36 minutes and a penalty from Marcelo Cordeiro (55) sealing the points. Atletico Goianiense were also successful on their travels, beating 10-man Palmeiras 2-1 to climb off the foot of the table. Santos Raylan (17) gave Atletico the lead and although Patrick Vieira equalised nine minutes later, Ernandes scored what proved to be the winner after 58 minutes. A miserable day for Palmeiras was completed when they had Wellington sent off 14 minutes from time. The day's other game between Ponte Preta and Sao Paulo finished 0-0. FIFA