SAO PAULO, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Paraguay international center-back Gustavo Gomez scored twice as Palmeiras extended their lead at the top of Brazil's Serie A standings on Thursday with a 4-2 home rout of Atletico Goianiense.
The visitors started brightly and Diego Churin silenced the home fans by sending a thumping header into the top corner just before the half-hour mark.
Palmeiras equalized in the 42nd minute when Ze Rafael combined with Gabriel Veron before slotting a low shot into the bottom-right corner. It sparked a goal-rush in which the reigning Copa Libertadores champions netted four times in the space of seven minutes.
Gomez doubled the hosts' lead with a close-range header in the 44th minute and Gustavo Scarpa made it 3-0 with a cool finish after more fine work from Veron.
Palmeiras attacked relentlessly and Gomez added to his personal tally by tapping home from inside the six-yard box after a corner just before the halftime whistle.
Goianiense were reduced to 10 men in the 74th minute when Arthur Henrique was shown a straight red card for violent conduct. But the hosts refused to surrender and Churin added respectability to the scoreline with a 79th-minute header that flew into the top left corner.
The result leaves Palmeiras with 25 points from 12 games, three points clear of second-placed Corinthians. Goianiense are 17th with 13 points.
In other Brazilian Serie A fixtures on Thursday, Avai won 3-2 at home to Fortaleza and Botafogo secured a 1-0 home win over Sao Paulo. ■
