RIO DE JANEIRO, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Erick Carvalho scored a first-half winner as Athletico Paranaense rose to the top of Brazil's Serie A standings on Sunday with a 1-0 home victory over 10-man Vasco da Gama.
The visitors suffered a major blow in the 16th minute when Hugo Moura was sent off for dragging down Bruno Zapelli when he was through on goal.
It took just 10 minutes for the hosts to capitalize on their numerical advantage as Erick tapped home from close range after Lucas Esquivel's cross.
Paranaense peppered Vasco's goal in the second half but failed to find another route past goalkeeper Leo Jardim, who saved six shots on target. The hosts also saw four of their attempts rebound off the woodwork.
The result leaves the Curitiba club with 10 points from five outings, ahead of second-placed Bahia on goal difference. Vasco are 17th in the 20-team standings, seven points further back.
"It was an atypical game because we should have scored a lot more goals," Parananese manager Cuca told reporters after the match. "The result could easily have been 3-0 but overall we can be satisfied."
In other Brazilian Serie A fixtures on Sunday, Sao Paulo won 3-1 at Vitoria, Bahia prevailed 2-1 at Botafogo and Palmeiras secured a 2-0 away victory over Cuiaba. ■
