RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 4 - A Brazilian match was interrupted in the first half when fans clashed with police and tear gas floated across the pitch on Sunday.

Trouble broke out in the 27th minute of the Vila Nova-Cruzeiro game in Belo Horizonte as fighting erupted out on the terraces.

Television pictures showed riot police wading in and using tear gas to try and quell the problem involving supporters of the home team. Play was halted for eight minutes because the players were affected.

Play restarted but fighting broke out in the second half, this time between police and Cruzeiro suppoters. Pictures showed riot police, including at least two on horseback, lashing out with truncheons against the fans.

There were no reports of serious injuries.

The match, in the Minas Gerais state championship, ended 2-2, Cruzeiro equalising with a goal by striker Nene in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

There was also trouble before the Palmeiras-Santos match in Sao Paulo as rival supporters fought in the streets near the stadium.

Television pictures showed fans hurling plastic chairs and attacking each other with sticks and firecrackers before riot police using truncheons separated the brawlers. Several cars were damaged.

In the stadium, Santos, who had won their first six matches of the year, fought back from 3-1 behind to draw 3-3 and stay top of the Paulista championship.

Striker Osmar scored twice to give Palmeiras a 2-0 halftime lead before midfielder Pedrinho pulled one back for Santos eight minutes into the second half.

Edmundo, 35, won and converted a penalty to restore Palmeiras's two-goal lead before left back Kleber inspired the Santos fightback.

Kleber scored with a deflected free kick in the 76th minute and provided the cross for Jonas to head the equaliser one minute later.

Santos, who beat Blooming in the South American Libertadores Cup on Wednesday, lead the table with 16 points from six games. Palmeiras are seventh with 11 points.

Brazilian champions Sao Paulo, fourth with 12 points, were held 1-1 at Noroeste. Lenilson put Sao Paulo ahead in the 65th minute before Vandinho burst down the right and fired the equaliser between Rogerio Ceni and the near post in the 79th minute.

Corinthians, beaten in their last two games, scored three times in a 12-minute spell before halftime as they won 3-2 at Guaratingueta, twice through forward Wilson and once from his striking partner Juan Carlos Arce.