Palmeiras sink Robinho's Santos 4-3
Reuters - Monday 15 March 2010, 03:26
RIO DE JANEIRO - Palmeiras fought back
from an early two-goal deficit to beat leaders Santos 4-3,
courtesy of a Robert hat-trick, in the Paulista championship on
Sunday.
Brazil striker Adriano, meanwhile, marked his return from
being dropped by scoring the winner for Flamengo in their 1-0
victory over Vasco da Gama in a Carioca championship derby.
Flamengo goalkeeper Bruno also saved a penalty in each
half.
Adriano, who missed Flamengo's Libertadores Cup win away to
Caracas FC in mid-week, had a quiet game but converted the
match-winning penalty seven minutes into the second half.
Veteran striker Dodo, back this season after a two-year
doping ban, had two penalties saved by Bruno and was jeered by
Vasco fans after his second failure.
"I'm the official (penalty) taker and I assumed my
responsibility. Sadly, I was unlucky," he told reporters.
It was Adriano's first match since he played for Brazil in
a London friendly against Ireland 12 days ago.
Having failed to turn up for training at Flamengo the next
Friday, he was dropped amid reports of a resurgence of his
well-catalogued personal problems.
Adriano was booked for celebrating his goal by lifting his
jersey to reveal a t-shirt with the message "May God forgive
those bad people".
ROBINHO UNINSPIRED
Santos, with an uninspired Robinho, went two up with goals
from midfielder Para and teenager Neymar at their Vila Belmiro
home before Robert put Palmeiras level with a quick double just
before the interval.
Playmaker Diego Souza then put Palmeiras, who are seventh
in the Sao Paulo state championship, in front 12 minutes into
the second half after keeper Felipe had touched defender Leo's
header onto the bar.
Substitute Madson equalised in the 81st but two minutes
later Neymar was shown a red card for a foul on Pierre and
Robert completed his hat-trick with a shot from outside the box
into Felipe's top corner in the final minute.
"Santos may have attacked more but I know it was Palmeiras
who created the clearest chances...It was the best game under
my command," said Palmeiras coach Antonio Carlos Zago, who took
charge in mid-February.
Santos, fresh from a remarkable 10-0 Copa Brasil win over
Naviraiense in mid-week, are still top of the Paulista with 32
points from 14 matches.
Defending Paulista champions Corinthians climbed to fourth
with a 2-1 win over second-placed Santo Andre after former
Brazil left back Roberto Carlos opened the scoring with his
first goal for the club, a typical left-footed drive from
outside the box.
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