CSL champions Guangzhou Evergrande keep up the pace; Jiangsu Suning put five past Henan Jianye
- Guangzhou Evergrande beat Shanghai Shenhua 4-1 in win inspired by Brazil-born Chinese players Fernandinho and Elkeson
- Goalkeeper gaffe gifts Ivan Santini first Chinese Super League hat-trick in 5-2 thriller
For once there was no rain in Dalian but the goals poured down in Sunday’s Chinese Super League matches.
Jiangsu Suning hammered Henan Jianye 5-2, while champions Guangzhou Evergrande dismissed Shanghai Shenhau 4-1, with both games in Dalian.
The champions went behind to a spectacular sixth-minute Cao Yunding goal before turning the game in their favour. Parity came from Anderson Talisca, an instant answer to criticism from coach Fabio Cannavaro, putting away his own rebound from Shenhua stopper Li Shuai.
Evergrande went ahead after the interval via an own goal. Brazilian-born Chinese footballer Fernandinho’s cross was headed past Li by defender Zhu Chenjie.
Fernandinho, also known as Fei Nandou, then scored the third, tapping home from a Zhang Linpeng centre, before Elkeson rounded off the scoring.
Ai Kesen, as the Brazil-born China international striker is also known, converted from the penalty spot after Fernandinho was dropped inside the box.