RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Former Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo was on target as Palmeiras kept alive their hopes of back-to-back Brazilian Serie A titles with a 3-0 home victory over Sao Paulo on Wednesday.

Bruno Henrique Corsini struck in the 12th minute at Allianz Parque and Melo doubled the hosts' lead on the stroke of halftime. Gustavo Scarpa completed the rout just before the hour mark.

The result lifted second-placed Palmeiras to within seven points of leaders Flamengo, who have a game in hand. Sao Paulo remained fourth in the 20-team standings, 18 points off the pace.

In Rio de Janeiro, Vasco da Gama's five-game unbeaten run ended with a 3-1 loss at home to Gremio. Colombian midfielder Fredy Guarin gave the hosts the lead in the 9th minute before Pepe, Everton Cebolinha and Luciano da Rocha netted for the Porto Alegre side.

Vasco, who are managed by former Real Madrid boss Vanderlei Luxemburgo, remained 11th in the standings while Gremio jumped to fifth.

In other matches on Wednesday, Fortaleza won 3-1 at Avai, Ceara secured a 2-0 home win over Fluminense and Chapecoense prevailed 2-0 at Atletico Mineiro. Enditem