CSL: Shijiazhuang Ever Bright win Hebei derby, Shanghai SIPG stay unbeaten with win over Tianjin Teda
- Goals from Hulk, Oscar, Arnautovic and Akhmedov brush aside bottom-placed side in 4-1 win for 2018 champions
- Newcomers beat Hebei China Fortune in 3-1 comeback win fuelled by veterans Muriqui and Matheus
Chinese Super League newcomers Shijiazhuang Ever Bright beat Hebei China Fortune for provincial bragging rights on Monday night, while 2018 champions Shanghai SIPG stretched their unbeaten run to eight games in Suzhou.
Shijiazhuang beat their Hebei neighbours 3-1, despite going behind to a Ren Hang header after 35 minutes.
The comeback began immediately through former Guangzhou Evergrande striker Muriqui, who netted from the spot minutes later.
In the second half, the goals came late for Afshin Ghotbi’s side, who went ahead through another of the league’s older players, Matheus. The 37-year-old fired home from distance before Oscar Muritu put the sheen on the scoreline seven minutes into stoppage time.
The win moved Shijiazhuang to a point behind fourth-place Hebei in the standings, with the top four teams progressing to the championship play-offs and the bottom four facing off for the relegation places.
Shijiazhuang’s technical analyst Jahanyar Mohebbi celebrated victory on Twitter: “Derby Winners,” he wrote.” Proud, Proud, Nothing more to say.”