📝Palmeiras 2-1 Ceará: 10-man Verdão hold on late to keep league lead | OneFootball

Palmeiras sought three points to maintain their hold on the top spot in the Brasileiro Série A. On the other hand, Ceará needed a result to help crawl out of the relegation zone at the bottom of the league table.

The match kicked off from the Pacaembu Stadium because of a Shakira concert at the regular Allianz Parque.

Out of necessity, the visitors came out stronger and tried to capitalize on some early sluggishness from Palmeiras.

In the fifth minute, right-back Samuel Xavier pushed forward and played a clever ball into the box for Juninho Quixadá but the 32-year-old forward lashed his shot into side netting.

Despite their early pressure Ceará conceded first. Edinho Campos was whistled for a handball in the area after Willian headed a corner kick towards goal. Team captain Bruno Henrique opened the scoring for the Verdão from the penalty spot in the 18th minute.

Taking the lead against the run of play seemed to jolt the home team awake and after the goal they played more like the league leaders.

Lucas Lima drove up the right channel before dropping a pass to Henrique in space outside of the Ceará 18-yard box. On his 29th birthday, Henrique lined up a shot and beat goalkeeper Éverson to the far post from distance.

Henrique doubled his tally and his team’s lead in the 35th minute.

In first-half stoppage time mercurial forward Deyverson showed the reckless side of his game by following through the ball and striking his opponent Richardson in the chest with his studs.

With the numerical advantage to start the second half, Ceará set about trying to break down their hosts.

20-year-old forward Arthur Mendonça Cabral clawed one back for the visitors before the hour-mark.

Leandro Carvalho carved up the Palmeiras defence, easily beat Henrique for pace, and set up his team-mate perfectly with a low ball across the face of goal in the 55th minute.

Ceará was unable to complete the comeback despite the advantage in total shots (21 to 16), possession (62% to 38%), and corner kicks (12 to 4).

As such the Vozão remain in the relegation zone on 31 points but a result in the next matchday could see them jump as high as 14th place.

Sunday’s result keeps Palmeiras at the top of the league with 62 points.