Corinthians came from behind to beat Avai 2-1 on Sunday, taking the lead in Brazil’s Serie A after Vasco de Gama drew with Sao Paulo.
Visitors Avai led through Robinho’s goal in the 12th minute of the match at Estadio Municipal Paulo Machado de Carvalho.
Already trailing, the outlook became bleaker for Corinthians when they had defender Leandro Castan sent off five minutes into the second half.
But despite playing a man down, they managed to force an equaliser with Emerson making it 1-1 two minutes past the hour mark.
And former Sporting Lisbon favourite Liedson struck the winner with 12 minutes to go, completing the comeback for the home side.
Corinthians now top the table courtesy of their superior record to Vasco, who could only draw 0-0 at home to Sao Paulo.
In other matches, Flamengo gave up a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 away to Gremio.
The visitors were in front courtesy of goals from Deivid and Thiago Neves in the first half at Estadio Olimpico Monumental.
Andre Lima pulled one back for Gremio to make it 2-1 going into the break.
Striker Lima, on loan from Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin, found the net again to equalise five minutes into the second half.
Douglas put Gremio ahead on 79 minutes and Ezequiel Miralles completed the transformation when he made it 4-2 with six minutes remaining.
In other matches, a Fernandes brace helped Figueirense come from a goal down to win 2-1 at home to Bahia, who had led through Diones’ strike.
Palmeiras’ dire season continued when they went down 2-1 away to struggling Atletico Mineiro.
The visitors, already trailing to goals from Neto Berola and Fillipe Soutto, had two men sent off in the space of a minute midway through the second half.
Mauricio Ramos was shown a straight red on 67 minutes and Jorge Valdivia followed him when he received a second yellow just 60 seconds later.
Elsewhere, Coritiba came from a goal down to win 3-1 at home to bottom side America Mineiro.
And Internacional climbed to sixth after they defeated Atletico Goianiense 1-0 away from home.
