World Football

By Brian Homewood

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Champions Sao Paulo beat Figueirense 2-0 at the weekend to stay nine points clear at the top of the Brazilian championship.

Second-placed Cruzeiro kept up the chase, winning by the same score at Vasco da Gama, but with only 11 matches to go in the 38-match campaign they are in danger of running out of time.

Sao Paulo needed only half an hour to dispose of Figueirense as they chalked up their 15th domestic game without defeat.

They have taken 60 points from 27 games, have won 18 matches and conceded only eight goals, and look increasingly unlikely to slip up.

Defender Alex Silva rose unchallenged to head them in front at the far post from a corner after 14 minutes and striker Leandro added the second with an individual goal in the 29th.

Cruzeiro also struck an early blow against Vasco when Maicossuel broke down the right, left two defenders in his wake and found Ramires, who swept the ball home in the 15th minute.

The Foxes wrapped up the game in the 75th minute when Thiago Martinelli headed in following a free kick on the right.

Gremio moved into third place, a further seven points behind Cruzeiro, by beating Vanderlei Luxemburgo's Santos with a second-half free kick from Marcel.

Corinthians, champions in 2005 and one of Brazil's biggest clubs, dropped into the relegation zone after losing 1-0 to arch-rivals Palmeiras.

Defender Nen headed the only goal in the second half as Palmeiras beat their old rivals for the third time in three meetings this year.