Fred hits out at critics after brace

Former Brazil striker Fred surged to the top of Brazil's Serie A scoring chart with a brace in Fluminense's 5-2 victory over Corinthians.

The 31-year-old netted twice in six second-half minutes Sunday to take his tally to 17 for the season, two ahead of Cruzeiro's Ricardo Goulart and Palmeiras' Henrique, reports Xinhua.

After the match the former Lyon striker hit back at newspaper reports claiming that Fluminense fans wanted him out of the team.

"Can I let off steam?" Fred told reporters at Rio's Maracana stadium. "People have to take more responsibility."

"It is unfortunate that those supporters were made to look like they represented all of the club's fans. I know that true Fluminense fans are on my side. I'm not the league's top scorer for nothing."

In other results Sunday, Chapecoense drew 1-1 with champions Cruzeiro, Figueirense held Sao Paulo 1-1, Coritiba won 2-1 at Atletico Mineiro, Atletico Paranaense defeated Goias 1-0 and Bahia beat Gremio 1-0.