Rio de Janeiro, Jun 12 (IANS): Paraguay international striker Angel Romero struck his second goal in three matches as Corinthians stayed on top of Brazil's Serie A football championship with a 3-2 home victory over Sao Paulo.

The 24-year-old on Sunday netted in the seventh minute before Gabriel and Jadson also hit the target at Corinthians Arena. Gilberto and Wellington Nem scored for the visitors, reports Xinhua news agency.

The result hoisted Corinthians to 16 points from six matches, three points ahead of second-placed Coritiba. Sao Paulo slipped to ninth with nine points.

In Florianopolis, Leandro Damiao notched his second league goal of the season to earn Flamengo a 1-1 draw at Avai.

Romulo opened the scoring for the hosts, who were reduced to 10 men when Marquinhos was shown a straight record for a bad foul six minutes from time.

In other matches on Sunday, Botafogo drew 2-2 at home to Coritiba, Ponte Preta beat Chapecoense 3-2, Vitoria defeated Atletico Mineiro 2-0, Cruzeiro overcame Atletico Goianiense 2-0 and Santos won 2-0 at Atletico Paranaense.