SAO PAULO, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Vitor Roque scored two second-half goals as Palmeiras extended its lead at the top of Brazil's Serie A on Thursday with a 2-0 home win over Santos.
Roque broke the deadlock in the 67th minute at Allianz Parque when he ran onto Juan Manuel Lopez's pass and rounded goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao before rolling the ball into an empty net.
Former Barcelona forward Roque doubled the lead by lifting a shot over Brazao 10 minutes from time after Rafael Veiga's through ball.
The result leaves Palmeiras with 68 points, three ahead of second-placed Flamengo with both teams having seven games left.
"In the first half we weren't able to translate our dominance into goals," Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira said. "But that changed after halftime. With the changes that we made, we had great energy and looked to score at every opportunity. It's a deserved victory."
Elsewhere in Brazil's top flight on Thursday, Ceara was held to a 1-1 home draw by Fortaleza and Fluminense prevailed 1-0 at home to Mirassol. ■
