Soccer-Cruzeiro win seven-goal derby, seal dribble sparks brawl

By Brian Homewood

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Cruzeiro kept up the pressure on Brazilian championship leaders Sao Paulo by beating arch-rivals Atletico Mineiro 4-3 on Sunday.

The Belo Horizonte derby was marred by an ugly brawl near the end after Cruzeiro striker Kerlon performed his trademark dribble in which he runs past opponents bouncing the ball on his head.

Nicknamed the seal dribble, it infuriated Atletico's players who saw it as provocative and defender Coelho was sent off for hacking him down.

Tempers flared and a brawl erupted involving more than a dozen players.

"I don't think he should do that in a derby," Atletico goalscorer Marinho said. "I hope he learns, he could have got hurt."

Cruzeiro are nine points behind Sao Paulo, who beat Santos 2-1 on Saturday.

Striker Roni scored twice for Cruzeiro in the first 24 minutes, the second from a penalty awarded for a foul on Maicosuel which appeared to take place outside the area.

Atletico were level before halftime thanks to goals from Gerson and Marinho and went ahead early in the second half when Marinho converted another controversial penalty.