The 2008 Campeonato Brasileiro came to an end a mere six weeks ago. But professional football has returned to Brazil with the start of the 27 state championships. But as ever, we on Brazilian football will be focusing on the oldest and most competitive tournament: São Paulo's Campeonato Paulista.

Ronaldo brace sinks Santos

Two fabulous strikes from Ronaldo and a free kick from Chicão have put Corinthians firmly in the driving seat in the finals of the Campeonato Paulista.

Santos had the bulk of the opportunities in front of around 17,000 of their own fans but failed to capitalize and paid the price against a side which has specialized in hitting teams on the break.

Sunday's fixture between archenemies Corinthians and Santos was billed as the battle between the past and future of Brazilian football ...

Keirrison got off to a dream start on his debut as Palmeiras swept aside Mogi Mirim 3-0 ...

He may not be at the peak of fitness, but on Sunday Ronaldo proved he was still a class above everyone else as he came off the bench to score a dramatic equalizer for Corinthians against archenemies Palmeiras ...

The penultimate round of the Campeonato Paulista saw São Paulo and Corinthians join Palmeiras in the playoffs. The fate of Santos, though, will only be decided on Sunday ...

Santos' much-coveted striker, Neymar, scored first professional goal for Santos in his first start for the club ...

Washington's early goal for São Paulo was enough to see off Palmeiras in the estádio Morumbi ...

Kléber Pereira and Madson enjoy the moment

Palmeiras went out of the Campeonato Paulista following a 2-1 loss to Santos in the Palestra Itália. Three players were red-carded - including the brainless Diego Souza who nearly caused a riot after booting Santos' Domingos. The Palmeiras number seven got into a harmless jostle with the bulky centreback.

André Santos celebrates

A 1-1 draw against Santos in the Pacaembu was enough for Corinthians to claim their 26th Campeonato Paulista title.

Santos arrived needing three goals after losing the first leg 3-1 in the Vila Belmiro. A blatant dive by Kléber Pereira earned his side a penalty.

Vanderlei Luxemburgo's Palmeiras swept aside Santos 4-1 in the Palestra Itália on Sunday and maintained their 100% record in the competition ...

Corinthians' 2-0 win the estádio Morumbi was more than enough to see Mano Menezes' team into the finals where they will face Santos.

The Parque São Jorge outfit arrived needing just a draw to go through but second-half goals from Douglas and Ronaldo gave Corinthians a deserved win against a São Paulo side bereft of creativity and fighting spirit.

Current Campeonato Paulista champions, Palmeiras, managed to take maximum points against newly-promoted Santo André on the opening day of the São Paulo state competition.

Corinthians are sitting pretty at the top of the São Paulo state championship after a 3-2 win away at Paulista FC on Wednesday ...

Ronaldo continued his impressive return after injury with a well-taken goal against São Caetano ...

Even at the best of times, managing teams in Brazil has always been a precarious occupation and the majority of coaches are lucky if they survive for more than a couple of months ...

Two goals from Paraguayan forward, Ortigoza, put Palmeiras into the playoffs of the Campeonato Paulista ...

Palmeiras' Cleiton Xavier, Vagner Love and Diego Souza celebrate another win

Muricy Ramalho's Palmeiras came from behind to take all three points against Santos in the Vila Belmiro. The 3-1 win left the Palestra Itália outfit five clear at the top and even with 11 rounds to go, it's difficult to see anyone dislodging Palmeiras from their position as leaders.

After just a single round of São Paulo's state championship, one coach is already looking for a new job ...

There's a familiar look to the top of the Paulista with Palmeiras, São Paulo, and Corinthians and Santos occupying the playoff places ...

A second-string Palmeiras side came away with all the points at Ponte Preta thanks to the performance of the in-form Lenny ...

Another game and another win for Palmeiras. The victims this time were Mirassol who succumbed 3-2 at home ...

In a dreadfully bad game in the Pacaembu, a second-string Palmeiras team kept their side's impressive run going with a 1-0 win over lowly Paulista FC ...

With a meeting against Colo-Colo in the Libertadores coming up, Palmeiras put out second-string team against relegation-threatened Guarani ...

Cristian gives Corinthians a precious lead in the Pacaembu

The São Paulo state championship playoffs got off to a great start with a pulsating game in the Vila Belmiro between holders Palmeiras and Santos.

Keirrison put Palmeiras in front when he headed home early in the first-half.

Keirrison, Kléber Pereira, Ronaldo and Washington

The dates and stadiums for the semi-finals have been announced. Palmeiras and São Paulo finished first and second in the group stage and they will have the double advantage of playing the first leg away and will go through without penalties or extra time if the aggregate scores are level.

The Campeonato Paulista reached the half-way point in the group stage at the weekend and the big four are occupying the playoff places ...

Palmeiras remain top of the Campeonato Paulista after an electrifying 4-3 win at São Caetano ...

Kléber Pereira comes to the rescue

For so long on Sunday it looked as if Portuguesa had done enough against Santo André to earn a place in the knock out phase of the Campeonato Paulista. Santos were struggling away to Ponte Preta until Kléber Pereira (who else) popped up with three goals to send his side into the next phase.