Flamengo crush Corinthians 5-1 to go top of Serie A table

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Corinthians v Flamengo - Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil - October 18, 2020 Flamengo's Bruno Henrique celebrates scoring their fourth goal REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Reigning Brazilian champions Flamengo returned to winning ways on Sunday with a crushing 5-1 win at Corinthians that took them top of the league.

The Rio side drew with lowly Bragantino in midweek but Everton Ribeiro gave them a 1-0 halftime lead before Vitinho and Natan struck again early in the second half to put them 3-0 up.

Gil got a goal back for Corinthians after 64 minutes but Bruno Henrique in the 71st minute and Diego four minutes from fulltime put the seal on a superb win.

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Corinthians v Flamengo - Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil - October 18, 2020 Corinthians' Cassio with Flamengo's Filipe Luis after the match REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Flamengo moved three points ahead of Atletico Mineiro and Internacional, both of whom have games in hand.

Corinthians, who have won just two of their last 11 matches, are in 14th place in the 20-team table.

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Corinthians v Flamengo - Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil - October 18, 2020 Flamengo's Vitinho celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

(Reporting by Andrew Downie in London; Editing by Toby Davis)

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Corinthians v Flamengo - Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil - October 18, 2020 Flamengo's Nathan celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli