Botafogo beat rock-bottom Atletico Goianiense 2-0 to jump to third in the Brasileirao.

The struggling hosts held their guests to a goalless first half, but Somalia opened the scoring six minutes after the interval and Jobson sealed the points with a second goal eight minutes from time.

The result moved the victors within eight points of leaders Fluminense, albeit having played a game more.

Ceara slipped a place to fourth, behind Botafogo on goal difference, after going down 1-0 at Flamengo. Dejan Petkovic grabbed the game's only goal from the penalty spot a minute before half-time to lift his team to seventh place.

At the other end of the table, Atletico Mineiro climbed two spots to 17th courtesy of their fourth win of the season - 3-1 at home to ten-man Guarani.

Diego Tardelli set the hosts on their way with two goals in five minutes midway through the second half and Obina added a third 13 minutes from time, five minutes after Fabao had been sent off to compound the visitors' woes. Mazola pulled one back for Guarani on the stroke of full-time but it was far too little, too late.

Finally, mid-table Palmeiras made light of their man disadvantage to overcome Atletico Paranaense 2-0. Danilo gave the hosts a third-minute lead and substitute Ewerthon made the points safe with the clinching goal 14 minutes from time.

Palmeiras played for most of the second half with ten men following the 48th-minute dismissal of Tadeu, but the visitors could not capitalise on their numerical superiority.