Defending champions Cruzeiro maintained a four-point buffer at the top of Brazil's Serie A football championship with a 1-0 victory against Santos.
Brazil international midfielder Ricardo Goulart broke the hosts' resistance just after halftime with a low left-footed shot after Willian's assist Sunday night, reports Xinhua.
The result at the Vila Belmiro stadium lifted Cruzeiro to 70 points with four matches remaining.
Sao Paulo remained second in the standings after defeating local rivals Palmeiras 2-0.
Former Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano and Rafael Toloi struck either side of halftime for the hosts.
Meanwhile, Flamengo rose to eighth with a 3-2 victory over Coritiba at the Maracana stadium.
In other matches Sunday, Vitoria won 1-0 at Chapecoense, Internacional beat Goias 1-0, Corinthians defeated Bahia 2-1 and Sport won 1-0 at Atletico Paranaense.
