Independiente went ahead in the 23rd minute of Saturday's game when Emiliano Armenteros beat his marker to Lucas Pusineri's cross and fired past Mauricio Caranta.

Boca replied with two goals in as many minutes just before halftime, both set up by Riquelme who is on loan from Spanish club Villareal where he has fallen out of favour.

Riquelme prised open the Independiente defence in the 43rd minute with a perfectly weighted pass for Neri Cardozo, who beat Oscar Ustari with an angled shot, then set up Rodrigo Palacio for the second in the next attack.

Former Villareal striker Palermo completed the win in the last minute when he spotted Ustari off his line and beat him with a superb effort from more than 40 metres.

The defeat left Independiente with one point from three games in the Clausura championship, heaping the pressure on coach Jorge Burruchaga.

Boca, who had midfielder Ever Amaga sent off in the 58th minute for a second bookable offence, have seven points.

Velez Sarsfield suffered their first defeat under former Mexico coach Ricardo La Volpe, going down 2-0 at home to Argentinos Juniors.

Defender Leandro Desabato headed Argentinos in front from a corner in the 69th minute and Leonel Nunez scored on the break seven minutes later.

In between, Velez defender Maximiliano Pellegrino was sent off for a second bookable offence.

La Volpe, who coached Mexico at the World Cup, took over at Velez in December after an unhappy four months with Boca.

Arsenal have a maximum nine points from three games after winning 4-0 at Nueva Chicago on Friday.