EASTERN'S winning run, stretching back to the start of the league season, was brought to a halt when fierce rivals South China held them to a 1-1 draw in a fast and furious clash at Mongkok Stadium yesterday.
On St Valentine's Day, referee Ng Yim-kin handed out eight cards - one red and seven yellow - as the ill-feeling built up over two previous encounters this season continually boiled over.
Eastern left-back Lee Wai-man was dismissed in the 28th minute after a skirmish with South China right-winger Loh Wai-chi, who was cautioned.
And six more players - three from each side - followed them into the referee's book as the crowd of just under 7,000 generated an electric atmosphere.
Both sides were entitled to claim a moral victory.
South China, having been humiliated 5-0 and 4-0 in the earlier matches this season, not only became the first side to score against Eastern in the league but also the first team to deny them victory after 13 successive league and cup wins.
