Defending champions Palmeiras scored three second-half goals en route to a 4-1 away win over 10-man Atletico Mineiro in Brazil's Serie A championship on Monday.

Anibal Moreno gave the visitors the lead at Arena MRV with a 25th-minute strike and the hosts suffered another blow six minutes later when former Brazil forward Hulk was sent off for violent conduct.

Joaquin Piquerez, Estevao Willian and Jose Lopez struck after halftime as Palmeiras cruised to their fifth win of the campaign.

After a shaky start to the season, Abel Ferreira's men have now won three consecutive matches, rising to fifth in the 20-team standings, two points behind leaders Botafogo. Atletico Mineiro are ninth, six points further back.

"We were prepared for a tough match and obviously the sending off helped us," Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira told reporters after the match.

"I think we played an intelligent, mature and courageous game at a beautiful stadium. I couldn't ask for more."

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