SAO PAULO, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Michael Oliveira scored a brace as defending champions Flamengo rose to third in Brazil's Serie A standings on Sunday with a 3-1 victory at Palmeiras.
Winger Wesley Silva opened the scoring for the hosts by dribbling past two defenders and slotting an angled finish past goalkeeper Diego Alves.
Oliveira equalized two minutes later with a powerful header after Everton Ribeiro's diagonal cross from the right wing.
Flamengo took the lead just before the hour mark when Pedro dos Santos rose highest following a Vitinho corner and nodded into the top left corner.
Oliviera put the result beyond doubt nine minutes from time, receiving a pass from Vitinho and cutting inside his marker before drilling a low effort past goalkeeper Weverton.
Flamengo, who now have 11 wins from 17 matches, trail leaders Atletico Mineiro by eight points but have two games in hand. Palmeiras remain second, seven points behind Atletico, who won 2-0 away to Fortaleza earlier on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Gremio clinched a 2-0 home victory over Ceara courtesy of goals from Diego Souza and Aldemir Ferreira. Enditem
