Carlos Tevez hit a superb hat-trick as Corinthians thrashed defending champions Santos 7-1 on Sunday to maintain a six-point at the top of the league.
The win moves Corinthians closer to its fourth national title with only five games left. Second-place Internacional however kept the pressure on with a 2-1 victory over Ponte Preta.
Tevez strikes came in the 19th, 36th and 53rd minutes.
The goals give him a tally of six in as many matches, and increased his team scoring lead to 28 goals.
Striker Nilmar added two – with a right-footer from close range in the 55th and header in the 77th – and midfielders Rosinei and Marcelo Mattos added one each to the delight of the Pacaembu crowd.
Corinthians started the scoring with Rosinei scoring in the opening 60 seconds, and Mattos finished the rout in the 90th. Striker Geilson netted Santos’ lone goal in the eighth.
Another big result on Sunday was Flamengo’s victory over Botafogo which means they climb out of the relegation zone winning 3-1 win.
