RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- A first-half goal from former Lazio and West Ham midfielder Felipe Anderson gave Palmeiras a 1-0 away win over Botafogo in Brazil's Serie A on Sunday.

The visitor went ahead on the stroke of halftime when Anderson ran onto Vitor Roque's one-touch pass before lifting a shot over goalkeeper John Victor.

The result at Rio de Janeiro's Olympic stadium leaves Palmeiras second in the 20-team standings with 39 points, four behind leader Flamengo. Botafogo is fifth, 10 points further back.

In Porto Alegre, two goals from Brazil international striker Pedro helped Flamengo ease to a 3-1 away win over Internacional.

Pedro netted twice in the first 12 minutes before Gonzalo Plata added a third goal just after the hour. Colombian striker Rafael Santos Borre pulled one back for the host in stoppage time.

Meanwhile, Philippe Coutinho scored two second-half goals in Vasco da Gama's 6-0 away rout of Neymar-led Santos. Lucas Piton, David Fonseca, Rayan and Danilo Neves were also on target as the Rio de Janeiro side inflicted the heaviest defeat of Neymar's career.

In Sunday's only other fixture, Gremio recovered from a goal down to clinch a 3-1 away victory over Atletico Mineiro. ■