CSL wrap: Lippi off the mark at Guangzhou

Marcello Lippi got off to a winning start in his first game in charge of Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande with a 1-0 victory.

The former Juventus and 2006 World Cup-winning Italy coach took charge of the club on Thursday after Lee Jang-Soo’s sacking and promptly guided the club to victory over bottom side Qingdao Jonoon.

Gao Lin scored the only goal in the 68th minute for Evergrande, who have been linked with Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Italian Alessandro Del Piero and now hold a four-point lead at the top of the league.

Elsewhere, Beijing Guoan moved up to second with a 1-0 away win at Changchun Yatai.

Piao Cheng scored on 22 minutes to move Guoan up to 21 points on the table, equal with Guangzhou R&F and behind Guangzhou Evergrande on 25 points.

Mid-table Liaoning Whowin edged Tianjin Teda 2-1 thanks to Zhao Junzhe’s penalty six minutes into injury time.