Guerrero returns, grabs winning goal and Corinthians beat Santos in São Paulo derby

Paolo Guerrero is the man when it comes to derbies at Corinthians’ new home.

 

The Peruvian striker returned after a two-game suspension to score the winning goal against Santos and lift Corinthians into fifth place in the Serie A table, just one spot outside the qualifying places for next year’s Copa Libertadores.

 

Guerrero, who had already scored against Palmeiras and Sao Paulo at the Arena Corinthians, was one of the stars of the match, along with midfielder Renato Augusto

 

The pair combined after just seven minutes to put Corinthians ahead. Renato dispossessed Bruno Uvini and then crossed the ball into the box, where it was missed by everyone except Guerrero, who slotted the ball home to give the home side the perfect start.

 

Santos had more of the early play but Corinthians kept them at bay and were soon causing them problems, particularly up the right flank, where Malcom’s pace and Renato Augusto’s trickery were key.

 

The first half ended 1-0 but the attacks down the right hand side did not cease in the second half.

 

After 47 minutes, Malcom dribbled down the wing, beat Caju but couldn’t finish. Four minutes later, Renato Augusto cut in from the right and saw Aranha parry his shot.

 

The pair teamed up again after 56 minutes in the nicest move of the evening. The No. 9 beat several defenders and then laid the ball off to his partner whose fierce drive was palmed away by Aranha. Guerrero followed up with a volley but Aranha was equal to it and prevented a second goal.

 

One minute later and another chance and again it came down the right wing. Petros played the ball from midfield to Renato Augusto and once again his shot was saved by Aranha.

 

With a second goal looking like it was on the cards, the fans were in good voice and the noise helped inspire the team to more attacks.

 

Elias had a long-range shot go past in the 71st minute and three minutes later Mano Menezes removed Malcom and replaced him with Luciano, who almost lived up to his super sub reputation by scoring just two minutes later, only to see his deflected shot hit the woodwork.

 

Fagner was another who tried his luck with nine minutes left after cutting in from the right and shooting from the edge of the box but that went wide and it was the last of the chances.

 

It ended 1-0 to Corinthians, guaranteeing them a 100 % record in their derby matches against their state rivals at the new stadium.

 

The next match is against Bahia at the Fonte Nova in Salvador next Sunday, kick off 5pm.

 

CORINTHIANS 1-0 SANTOS

Brazilian Serie A

 

Date: 09/11/2014

Venue: Arena Corinthians, São Paulo-SP

Referee: Vinícius Furlan (SP)

Goal: Guerrero (COR) 7 mins

Yellow cards: Elias and Fagner (COR), Edu Dracena and Victor Ferraz (SAN)

 

CORINTHIANS: Cássio; Fagner, Gil, Felipe and Fabio Santos; Ralf, Elias (Bruno Henrique), Petros and Renato Augusto (Danilo); Malcom (Luciano) and Guerrero. Coach: Mano Menezes.

 

SANTOS: Aranha; Victor Ferraz (Cicinho), Edu Dracena, Bruno Uvini and Caju; Alison, Arouca, Lucas Lima and Serginho (Leandro Damião); Rildo and Gabriel (Jorge Eduardo). Coach: Enderson Moreira