Barcelona target Arthur helps Gremio to 5-1 rout of Santos

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona target Arthur scored his first Brazilian Serie A goal of the season on Sunday as Gremio rose to fifth in the standings with a 5-1 thrashing of Santos.

The 21-year-old netted his team's fifth goal with a long-range 80th-minute strike, capping a dominant display from the reigning Copa Libertadores champions.

Maicon struck a brace while Everton and Andre were also among the scorers for Renato Gaucho's side. Jean Mota was on target for Santos.

In March, Barcelona secured an option to sign Arthur - who has been likened to Blaugrana great Xavi Hernandez - for 30 million euros plus eight million euros in add-ons.

Sunday's result at Arena Gremio left the Porto Alegre side on seven points, three points behind leaders Flamengo, who won 2-0 at home to Internacional on Sunday.

Santos are 16th in the 20-team standings with just three points from as many matches.

In other fixtures on Sunday, defending champions Corinthians were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Ceara, Cruzeiro beat Botafogo 1-0 in Belo Horizonte, Palmeiras won 3-1 at Atletico Paranaense, hosts Sport Recife defeated Bahia 2-0 and Fluminense won 2-1 at Vitoria. Enditem