Chinese Super League wrap: Guangzhou unbeaten run continues

Guangzhou Evergrande continued their unbeaten start to the Chinese Super League season with a 2-1 win over Jiangsu Shuntian on Sunday.

Now undefeated in their opening 12 games, Guangzhou recorded the win in a game that featured three penalties at the Tianhe Stadium.

Gao Zhilin gave them a 35th-minute lead when he converted from the spot, before Brazilian striker Cleo doubled their advantage on the hour mark with another spot-kick.

But Australian forward Bruce Djite pulled a goal back for the visitors with a quarter of an hour to play when he also scored with a penalty.

But the top of the table outfit hung on and extended their lead to five points in first place after second-placed Beijing Guoan were held to a 1-1 draw by Tianjin Teda.

Beijing were forced to come from behind to record a third-straight draw as striker Roberto cancelled out attacker Yu Dabao’s 21st-minute opener with his goal 13 minutes from time.

Shanghai Shenhua closed in on second spot, moving level on points with Beijing courtesy of their come-from-behind 2-1 win at Dalian Shide.

Zhu Ting gave the hosts a surprise first-half lead, but Shanghai were ahead at the interval thanks to goals from Argentina Luis Salmeron and Jiang Kun.

At the other end of the table, Shenzhen Ruby moved out of the relegation zone as New Zealand international Chris Killen struck a brace in their 2-1 win over Henan Jianye.

The striker found the net twice early in the second half and Shenzhen claimed their second win of the season despite Leandro Netto’s 59th-minute goal, leaving Henan Jianye winless and second last.

Nanchang Bayi remain bottom after their 3-2 loss at home to Shaanxi Chanba.

Goals from Gao Zicheng and Diego Vera had cancelled out Milos Bajalica’s opener to give them a 2-1 lead early in the second half.

But Italian midfielder Fabio Firmani and Li Kai ensured Shaanxi would take the points away from home.

Elsewhere, a goal from Nei gave Changchun Yatai a 1-0 win over Qingdao Jonoon, while Roda Antar gave Shandong Luneng a 1-0 victory at Liaoning Hongyun with his strike.

In the other game, Pablo Pezzolano and Yang Zhezhi exchanged goals on the stroke of half-time as Hangzhou Lucheng and Chengu Blades played out a 1-1 draw.