Love winner sends Palmeiras clear in Brazil

A 10-man Palmeiras came from behind to beat Cruzeiro 2-1 on Wednesday and move three points clear at the top of the Brazilian championship.

Former CSKA Moscow striker Vagner Love struck the winner early in the second half just moments before Colombian left back Pablo Armero was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Cruzeiro snatched the lead after just eight minutes when striker Thiago Ribeiro scored with a low right-foot shot but Palmeiras equalised two minutes later off a free kick by playmaker Diego Souza.

Love the put his team in front with a solo goal at the start of the second term as Palmeiras held on for the win.

"Cruzeiro are a very good team, good at keeping possession, so this is in an important win because it shows our squad are strong and determined in search of our objective," Souza told reporters.

The result lifted Palmeiras to the top of the standings in the Libertadores Cup with 47 points from 25 matches, ahead of title holders Sao Paulo (44), Internacional (43) and Goias (42). Cruzeiro are 13th with 32 points.