Shenhua played more aggressive against a Dalian team still reeling from the AFC Champions League loss to Chonbok Hyundai last week, and plagued with injuries.

Shenhua's attack paid dividends in the eighth minute as Du Wei's powerful long ball beat diving goalie Chen Dong.

Dalian leveled 10 minutes later with striker Zou Jie tapping in a Hu Zhaojun cross.

Honduran striker Luis Ramirez, who is likely to be traded to Qingdao, headed in the winner from a corner kick in the 83rd minute.

Shenhua signed former German international Carsten Jancker last week. The powerful striker, expecting his local league clearance this week, will add to the competition in the already-crowded strike force at Shenhua, which has five top forwards.

Shenhua rose to fifth place in the Chinese Super League on 20 points, one shy of Shide.

Shandong Luneng routed Liaoning Zhongyu 5-0 to stay top of the table with 30 points, followed by Changchun Yatai (27) and Beijing Guo'an (21).

In other 14th round action at the weekend, it was: Chang-chun 4, Beijing 1; Shenzhen Kingway 1, Wuhan Huang-helou 0; Xiamen Lions 0, Xi'an International 1; and Qingdao Zhongneng 3, Tianjin Teda 2.