Fluminense narrowly avoided a shock defeat to Ponte Preta as they kept their title hopes on track with a 2-1 victory in the Brasileirão.
Goals from Fred and Gum in the last ten minutes of the match were enough to secure the three points after Ponte Preta led for much of the game.
Luan struck the early blow for the away side in the second minute as Ponte Preta attempted to hold onto the slender lead, but the quality of the league leaders was too much in the end.
There was some controversy for the winning goal as the away side were left fuming after some shirt pulling in the penalty box allowed Gum to score.
Ponte Preta coach Delle Volpe complained of the referee’s decisions: “We do not beiieve that the referee is dishonest, but he performed badly. I never imagined we would lose to a referee in Rio de Janeiro. We were very upset.”
Fluminense have now recorded their fifth straight victory and maintained a nine point lead over nearest rivals Atlético Mineiro.
Fluminense will now face Grêmio as the Brasileirão enters the closing stages with just eight games left to play.
