Corinthians, São Paulo and Palmeiras were all heavily fancied to win the 2006 Campeonato Paulista. But despite having lost Ricardinho to Corinthians and rising star Jonas to injury, a double blow that left the Santos evidently short on stars, it's the fourth member of the state's celebrated quartet that leads the standings with four rounds of matches remaining.

The success owes much to the contribution of coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, back at the Santos controls following a spell at Real Madrid. Unlike his counterparts at rival clubs, who have been in command of celebrity players, the 53-year-old has been left to mix with a selection of lesser names. It has not stopped him working his magic. Displaying his renowned ability to draw the best from his troops, Luxemburgo has turned Santos into a solid side; difficult to penetrate, proficient on the counter-attack.

Lesser names thrive
Within a gloomy, six-month period, Brazilian internationals Robinho and Ricardinho both left the Vila Belmiro. Neither was replaced with a big name. However, the signings made by the club have prospered. Maldonado's closed-season capture from Cruzeiro did little to animate the Santos fans, but the Chilean midfield lynchpin has swiftly gained popularity on the terraces thanks to a number of arresting performances. Another new arrival, ex- Goiás man Rodrigo Tabata, has also shone in a more advanced role, and Kléber - who had a bleak 2005 - has come into his own under Luxemburgo's tutelage, emerging as a consistent creator of goals from his left-wingback position.

Fábio Costa, a Brasileiro-winner with Corinthians last season, has kept goal expertly, while Léo Lima - a player who previously struggled to make a favourable impression - has thrived in midfield. In attack, Santos have relied upon the talents of former Flamengo and Sao Paulo goal-getter Reinaldo and youngster Geílson.

Six-game winning run sends Peixe top
Santos made a decent start to the tournament but it was a run of six consecutive victories - five coming by a 1-0 scoreline - that catapulted them to the top of the Paulistão. The sequence began with a win over high-flying Noroeste, and continued with defeats of Corinthians, Ponte Preta, Rio Branco, Sao Caetano and Palmeiras.

The latest in the consecution was the most satisfying success for 'Luxa'. Palmeiras, bossed by rival Émerson Leão, were also title contenders and fielded all of the aces, namely Juninho Paulista, Paulo Baier, Edmundo and Marcinho, for the so-called 'grudge match'. After 84 goalless but thoroughly entertaining minutes, Santos - who had got the better of the exchanges - were awarded a penalty. Substitute Léo Lima stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards to the delight of his gaffer.

Guarani interrupted the winning chain in Round 14, sinking the Vila Belmiro side with a shock 2-1 result that saw their five-point lead cut, but Santos recovered to get the better of Ituano on Sunday and keep second-placed Palmeiras two points behind. "I don't have to start supporting against São Paulo or Palmeiras," explained Luxemburgo following the Round 15 triumph. "We have to worry about our next four matches, because if we win these games we will not have to depend on anybody."

With less than a month of the competition left to play, Pelé's former team have their destiny in their own hands. It's now just Juventus, Bragantino, São Paulo and Portuguesa that stand in the way of Luxemburgo delivering Santos their first Campeonato Paulista title since 1984, and consequently cementing his reputation as one of South America's top football coaches.