Marcos stars as Palmeiras beat Santos 3-1

Sao Paulo City:

Palmeiras stunned second-placed Santos 3-1 in Brazilian Paulista championship action on Sunday. Brazilian national goalkeeper Marcos was in superb form for Palmeiras. The 32 year-old was at his best to turn away a free-kick from Ricardinho after a quarter of an hour. Real concerns Later in the half there were concerns for Real Madrid target Robinho, who the Santos bench thought had been the victim of an off-the-ball incident. The referee saw nothing untoward, and the man they're calling 'the new Pele' sprung back into action with a beautiful through-ball to Deivid, who somehow managed to shoot wide of an empty net. Moments later Robinho was caught in possession, and the home team made him pay, as a lovely cross from Correa was headed home by Daniel for the opening goal of the game on 42 minutes. Five minutes into the second half, the visitors were gifted the chance to get back into the game, when Deivid won a soft penalty after Glauber was adjudged to have dragged him down. Ricardinho made no mistake with the spot-kick, sending Marcos the wrong way to make it 1-1 on 52 minutes. Trademark drive But it was the last time the Brazilian keeper was beaten as another trademark full length dive to the left denied Robinho on the hour mark. By now Santos were pushing forward, and a swift counter-attack caught them out, with substitute Pedrinho making the most of his chance, and no doubt impressing coach Candinho with a cool finish. Marcos enjoyed the moment with the other substitutes, but he had to share the adulation with Pedrinho who sealed the match on 82 minutes with a brilliant finish past Mauro, to hand Santos a first defeat this season. (AP)