Although the visitors had more of the play, Sao Paulo were more clinical in front of goal, with Everton heading home shortly before halftime. Hudson grabbed a second with a superbly placed shot from 25 metres out seven minutes from the end.
The match at Sao Paulo's Morumbi stadium marked a quiet debut for former AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato, who returned to Sao Paulo after a spell in China.
Brazil's 20-team first division, which was won last year by Palmeiras, will run until December.
(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
