Guangzhou Evergrande kept hold of top spot in the Chinese Super League with a 1-1 draw away to second-placed Beijing Guoan.
Evergrande, who have won the past two CSL titles, survived going behind in Beijing and having midfielder Zhao Xuri sent off late in the second half to earn a draw and stay ahead of Guoan on goal difference.
Brazilian striker Elkeson scored the equaliser for Evergrande after Frederic Kanoute had set up Zhang Xizhe for Beijing’s opener just before half-time.
Beijing took the lead in the 46th minute on Thursday when Kanoute showed fantastic skill to bring a high ball under his control. The former Sevilla forward then turned to release Zhang down the left wing and the 22-year-old midfielder slotted his shot between the legs of Evergrande goalkeeper Zeng Cheng.
Elkeson restored parity just after the hour mark when he tapped home Zhang Linpeng’s right-wing cross.
Evergrande ended the game with 10 players after Zhao was red-carded for pushing Guoan’s Zhang Xinxin in the face in the 92nd minute.
Albanian striker Hamdi Salihi scored twice as Jiangsu Sainty came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Shanghai Shenxin.
After a goalless first half, the visitors from Shanghai took the lead five minutes after the break through Liu Junnan.
Salihi equalised from the spot in the 58th minute but Shenxin were back in front six minutes later when Brazilian forward Kieza scored from the spot.
Sainty had to wait until the third minute of second-half stoppage time to snatch a draw with Salihi nodding home at the back post to send the home fans wild with relief.
Guizhou Renhe defeated Wuhan Zall 2-1 in Thursday’s other match.
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