RIO DE JANIERO, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Sao Paulo was held to a 1-1 draw with Gremio on Wednesday but still grabbed the top spot of the Brazilian soccer championship.

    Gremio opened scoring in the 23rd minute through Rafael Marques who found some free space to head the ball past Rogerio Ceni and into the Sao Paulo net.

    It did not take long for Sao Paulo to respond. In the 31st minute, Hernanes crossed at ball to Dagoberto who bounced the ball off his chest and continued to blast the ball into the Gremio goal.

    Sao Paulo now has 59 points, one point ahead of Palmeiras, who plays Fluminense on Sunday.