Palmeiras move closer to Brazilian Serie A title

Former Brazil international midfielder Felipe Melo struck a superb second-half goal as Palmeiras extended their lead at the top of the Brazilian Serie A standings with a 3-0 victory over Fluminense.

Colombian forward Miguel Borja opened the scoring for the hosts on Wednesday when he tapped in after a Willian Gomes cross, reports Xinhua news agency.

Melo made it 2-0 in the 83rd minute by latching onto a headed clearance and sending a whistling 25-yard volley into the top right corner of Julio Cesar's goal.

Luan completed the rout with a stoppage time header after Gustavo Scarpa's cross from the right.

The result at Allianz Parque left Palmeiras eight points clear of second-placed Internacional, who will host America Mineiro on Thursday.

With just four rounds remaining in the season, Luiz Felipe Scolari's men are now odds-on favourites to win their 10th Brazilian top flight title.

In other matches on Wednesday, Atletico Paranaense drew 1-1 at Vasco da Gama, Bahia secured a 2-1 home victory over Ceara, Atletico Mineiro won 1-0 at Parana, Cruzeiro beat Corinthians 1-0 at home and Vitoria drew 0-0 at Sport Recife.

--IANS

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