RIO DE JANEIRO - Former Brazil striker Fred surged to the top of Brazil's Serie A scoring chart with a brace in Fluminense's 5-2 victory over Corinthians on Sunday.

The 31-year-old netted twice in six second-half minutes to take his tally to 17 for the season, two ahead of Cruzeiro's Ricardo Goulart and Palmeiras' Henrique.

After the match the former Lyon striker hit back at newspaper reports claiming that Fluminense fans wanted him out of the team.

"Can I let off steam?" Fred told reporters at Rio's Maracana stadium. "People have to take more responsibility.

"It is unfortunate that those supporters were made to look like they represented all of the club's fans. I know that true Fluminense fans are on my side. I'm not the league's top scorer for northing."

Meanwhile Santos defeated Botafogo 2-0, a result that confirmed the Rio club's relegation to Serie B next season.

One-time Selecao forward Leandro Damiao scored both his team's goals in the second half.

In other results on Sunday, Chapecoense drew 1-1 with champions Cruzeiro, Figueirense held Sao Paulo 1-1, Coritiba won 2-1 at Atletico Mineiro, Atletico Paranaense defeated Goias 1-0 and Bahia beat Gremio 1-0.

The league's top-four places - which earn a spot in next year's Copa Libertadores - are already decided with one round of matches remaining.

Cruzeiro, Sao Paulo, Internacional and Corinthians have each secured a berth in Latin America's premier club tournament, as have Copa do Brasil champions Atletico Mineiro.