SAO PAULO, Nov. 2 -- Defending Brazilian Serie A champions Palmeiras kept the pressure on leaders Flamengo with a 1-0 home victory over Ceara on Saturday, their third straight victory.

Ze Rafael capitalized on a poor clearance to fire a low shot in off the right post in the 17th minute at Allianz Parque.

The hosts then opted to sit back for long periods and weathered a sustained spell of dominance in the second half from Ceara, who managed five shots on target to Palmeiras' two.

The result left Mano Menezes' team on 63 points with eight rounds left, five points behind leaders Flamengo, who have a game in hand. Ceara remained 15th with 33 points.

In other Serie A fixtures on Saturday, Atletico Mineiro drew 2-2 at Fortaleza and Vasco da Gama held Fluminense to a goalless draw in their Rio de Janeiro derby.

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