Cruzeiro extended their lead at the top of the Brazilian Campeonato to 11 points with a convincing 4-1 win over Nautico Recife.
Gremio had closed the gap with a win over Botafogo on Saturday night but the leaders responded in convincing fashion.
Ricardo Goulart opened the scoring after 10 minutes but Maikon Leite responded just before the half hour to send the teams in level at the break.
Goulart then bagged his second seven minutes into the second half before an Everton Ribeiro penalty and a goal from Mayke saw Cruzeiro pull clear.
Atletico Paranaense took advantage of Botafogo's loss to move up to third with a 2-1 win against Coritiba.
Julio Cesar gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot but two goals in two minutes just before half time from Paulo Baier put Atletico in control.
And there was no way back for Coritiba who had Sergio Escudero sent off in the second half.
Junior Gilberto scored twice as Portuguesa eased to a 3-0 win over Santos.
Luis Ricardo Silva grabbed the opener after 16 minutes and Gilberto doubled the lead on the hour before completing the scoring with a penalty seven minutes later.
Struggling Ponte Preta grabbed a precious point as they secured a 1-1 draw away at Bahia.
William put the visitors ahead after 22 minutes but Jose Fernandao levelled things up 10 minutes before half time.
Vasco da Gama moved within a point as safety as they drew 1-1 with Flamengo.
Vidal Hernane had the home side ahead after 33 minutes before Willie Barbosa pegged them back eight minutes after the break.
Lins de Brito's early goal was not enough to secure a win for Criciuma as they also drew 1-1 with Goias.
The visitors went ahead after just three minutes through De Brito but Walter grabbed the equaliser on the half-hour.
Leandro Damiao grabbed the only goal as Internacional beat Fluminense, who had Fabio Braga sent off in the last minute, 1-0 while Atletico Mineiro and Corinthians played out a goalless draw.
