SAO PAULO, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Midfielder Allan and playmaker Jhon Arias scored in each half as Palmeiras rose to the top of Brazil's Serie A on Wednesday with a 2-1 home win over Botafogo.

The host took the lead when Allan ran onto Andreas Pereira's pass before firing a first-time effort into the bottom left corner.

Botafogo was reduced to 10 men on the stroke of halftime after Cristian Medina received a straight red card for a bad foul on Arias.

Former Manchester United midfielder Pereira was again the provider as he combined with Arias, who dribbled into the area and finished clinically past goalkeeper Raul Steffens.

Danilo pulled a goal back for the visitor with a 59th-minute strike but Palmeiras held on to secure its fifth win of the campaign.

Palmeiras now has 16 points from seven games and is ahead of second-placed Sao Paulo on goal difference.

Botafogo is 18th in the 20-team standings with one victory from five games so far.

Elsewhere in Brazil's top flight on Wednesday, Bahia won 2-0 at home to Bragantino, Athletico Paranaense edged to a 2-1 home win over Cruzeiro, Atletico Mineiro won 1-0 at home to Sao Paulo, Coritiba prevailed 1-0 at Mirassol, Internacional secured a 2-1 victory at Santos and Vasco da Gama clinched a 3-2 home win over Fluminense. ■