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Liancheng top table

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Shanghai Liancheng did not expect to be the team to beat in the Chinese Super League. In fact, the name didn't even exist before IT tycoon Zhu Jun bought out the former Shanghai Zobon four months ago. But they now top the CSL standings with seven points from three games after a 5-1 mauling of visiting Shandong Luneng yesterday.

The two teams finished the first half tied at 1-1 but the hosts, who finished 11th in the 14-team standings last season, ran riot after the break, scoring four goals without reply against a side who had led the table prior to yesterday's match.

The monumental melt-down prompted Shandong coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic to openly lambaste his error-prone defence. 'Some of them are simply ill-disciplined and irresponsible,' he fumed.

Elsewhere yesterday, both Chongqing Lifan and Tianjin Teda failed to extend their two-game winning streak, leaving Liancheng alone in top spot. Chongqing succumbed to Xiamen Lions 3-2, while Tianjin were held to a goalless draw by Shenyang Ginde.

In the northeast city of Changchun, eight-time champions Dalian Shide also stumbled, losing 2-1 to top-flight newcomers Changchun Yatai.

In the other third-round game yesterday, Wuhan Huanghelou dispatched International Xi'an 1-0.

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