Guangzhou Evergrande win a record eighth title in Chinese Super League

BEIJING -- Guangzhou Evergrande regained the crown of Chinese Super League (CSL) with a 3-0 home win over a weakened Shanghai Shenhua on Sunday in the final round, while Beijing Guo'an took the second place with a comeback 3-2 victory over Shandong Luneng.

Evergrande topped the CSL table with two more points than the second-placed Guo'an before the last match, meaning Evergrande would take the crown with a win over Shenhua. Eventual third-placed Shanghai SIPG won the title last season.

Evergrande, the seven-time CSL title winners, staged the game at a fast pace. However, the title chasers only opened the scoring before the interval, as Wei Shihao scored from a close range.

In the second half, Park Ji-Su of Evergrande made the lead to 2-0 in the 55th minute. Brazilian-born naturalized Chinese striker Ai Kesen sealed the win in the 83rd minute.

Evergrande collected 72 points to win their eighth CSL title, with Guo'an finishing with 70 points as the runners-up.

In the capital, Luneng took an early lead through a penalty from Roger Guedes and another goal of Marouane Fellaini in the first 35 minutes. Guo'an fought back to equalize by halftime, as Zhang Yuning scored, while Renato Augusto also scored from a penalty.

As Luneng had to take on Shenhua in the second leg of Chinese Football Association Cup, several key players rested in the second half. Guo'an came from behind to claim all three points in the final minutes with a goal from substitute Wang Ziming.

Elsewhere, Henan Jianye beat Guangzhou R&F 1-0. Dalian Yifang edged Beijing Renhe 2-0, who relegated to the second-tier league. Shanghai SIPG secured the third place as they thrashed Shenzhen Jiazhaoye 6-0, who also relegated to the second tier. Wuhan Zall lost 2-1 to Hebei China Fortune. Tianjin Teda defeated Chongqing Siwei 2-0.