RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Botafogo returned to the top of Brazil's Serie A championship on Tuesday with a 3-1 away victory over championship rival Palmeiras.
Gregore gave the visitor the lead when he swept a first-time effort into the top-right corner following Thiago Almada's one-touch pass.
The host was reduced to 10 men in the 70th minute after Marcos Rocha was shown a straight red card for lashing out at Igor Jesus with a hand to the face.
It took less than three minutes for Botafogo to capitalize on its numerical advantage as Jefferson Savarino ran onto Jesus' headed pass and calmly slotted a low shot past goalkeeper Weverton.
Adryelson put the result beyond doubt a minute from time with a towering header at the far post following a Savarino corner.
Richard Rios opened Palmeiras' account by rifling home a first-time effort from 25 yards, but it proved little more than a consolation as the defending champion fell to its eighth defeat of the campaign.
The result leaves Botafogo three points clear of Palmeiras in the 20-team standings with two match days remaining.
"We're very happy to have picked up the three points against an opponent that is also challenging for the title," Jesus said. "This was the victory of a team that doesn't stop working hard and always tries to win. We haven't been at our best in the past few games but this victory will give us confidence."
Botafogo, who is bidding for its first top-flight title since 1995, will now turn its attention to Saturday's Copa Libertadores final against Brazilian rival Atletico Mineiro in Buenos Aires. ■
