Corinthians striker Ronaldo had to be content with a supporting role as his side beat Santos 1-0 in a Paulista championship match marred by crowd trouble on Sunday.

Ronaldo had scored in last previous two outings for Corinthians but this time, strike partner Dentinho stole the show when he lost his marker to meet Douglas's long cross with a powerful header in the 15th minute.

The match had been billed as a clash between former Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter and Milan striker Ronaldo and Santos's 17-year-old prodigy Neymar, but neither had an outstanding game.

Neymar, who had scored in two of his four appearances and is already being compared to former Santos forward Robinho, was taken off midway through the second half.

"It's very good to win," said Ronaldo.

"It was his (Dentinho's) time to score a goal. It was an important and decisive one."

At the end of the game, Santos supporters fought with police who tried to stop them throwing missiles at Corinthians fans on the other side of a fence.

Television pictures showed police lashing out with truncheons while groups of fans attempted to attack individual officers.

The fans were driven back into a corner of the terraces after reinforcements arrived. Media reports said there was also trouble involving Santos directors in the VIP box.

"Objects were thrown at us. Somebody threw some back, I didn't see who it was, it wasn't me," said Santos president Marcelo Teixeira.

Corinthians, unbeaten in the tournament, are second with 33 points from 15 games, four behind leaders Palmeiras. The top four qualify for the semi-finals. Santos are fifth.