Guangzhou Everglade strengthened their grip on top spot in the Chinese Super League after a 2-1 away win over Changchun Yatai.
South American duo Dario Conca and Cleo scored one goal each in the second half to deliver Marcello Lippi’s side the victory and open up a five point gap between them and second-placed Jiangsu Sainty.
Jiangsu recorded a disappointing 1-1 draw at home with struggling Shanghai Shenxin.
The visitors went ahead through a Wang Yun strike in the 29th minute before a Cristian Danalanche penalty two minutes before half-time drew the home side level.
Neither side could break the deadlock in the second half, with the result leaving Jiangsu with work to do to catch Guangzhou.
Third-placed Guizhou Renhe were beaten 2-1 away to Dalian Aerbin.
Rafa Jorda’s 84th-minute strike looked to have gained Guizhou a point before Peter Utaka scored from the penalty spot in the 90th minute to give Aerbin the win.
In other results, Didier Drogba’s Shanghai Shenhua were unable to find the back of the net against Dalian Shide in a 0-0 draw at home, while Tianjin Teda were 2-1 victors away to Hangzhou.
