Elkeson leads impressive Shanghai SIPG to comeback win over Changchun Yatai in Chinese Super League

Experienced Brazilian striker Elkeson scored a hat-trick and compatriots Hulk and Oscar also contributed as Shanghai SIPG underlined their Chinese Super League title credentials with an impressive 5-1 comeback win over Changchun Yatai in Saturday’s 2017 domestic opener.

Andre Villas-Boas’ side recovered from conceding to Fan Xiaodong’s 26th-minute stunner at Shanghai Stadium to record a fourth consecutive win at the start of the year, having also reeled off a hat-trick of victories in the AFC Champions League.

Changchun, with Hong Kong international Jack Sealy starting in midfield, had made the ideal start as Fan fired an unstoppable dipping shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area after 26 minutes after Shanghai had only partially cleared a corner.

But after Villas-Boas opted to remove his mandatory under 23 player inside the opening 30 minutes after Liaoning Whowin boss Ma Lin had done the same in the first half of Friday’s draw with Guizhou Zhicheng, the home side hit back twice before the break.

First, after Oscar was fouled inside the area, Hulk rifled home the resulting penalty 12 minutes before half-time, with Changchun’s South Korean coach Lee Jang-soo sent to the stands soon after as he remonstrated with the officials.

And two minutes before half-time, Shanghai’s Brazilian trio combined to devastating effect as Hulk played the ball into Oscar inside the area, and the former Chelsea midfielder found Elkeson with a back-heel for his compatriot to fire home.