BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai SIPG took a step closer towards their first-ever Chinese Super League title with a vital 5-4 away win over the seven-time defending champiosn Guangzhou Evergrande on Saturday in the 28th round of the Chinese Super League (CSL).
The visitors led the league with a two-point advantage over Evergrande ahead of the game. Though SIPG coach Vitor Pereira was suspended from the bench, the whole team certainly expected a win, which will mean they'll almost secure their first ever top flight title.
SIPG started hot soon in the first half as Lv Wenjun and Cai Huikang scored to keep see them lead twice. However, Paulinho and Alan Douglas of Evergrande managed to equalize the score twice, and Paulinho made a follow-up shot to help the home side lead 3-2 at halftime.
At the start of the second half, Evergrande missed a good chance from the corner. 50 minutes into the game, Chinese striker Wu Lei of SIPG scored to a 3-3 tie. In the 79th minute, Evergrande suffered an own goal from Zhang Chenglin. Hulk of SIPG helped the visiting team to establish a 5-3 lead through a penalty, leaving Alan's penalty for Evergrande in extra time in vain.
SIPG had a 5-point lead over second-placed Evergrande on the fixture now with two games remaining.
In other games, Dalian Yifang suffered a 2-1 loss to Beijing Renhe. Chongqing Siwei tied Teda 1-1. Jiangsu Suning beat Hebei China Fortune 3-1. Seven more teams are possible to relegation with two rounds to go after Guizhou had been dropped from the top tier.
