A star is born: Wei Shihao's flamboyance makes the difference for rampant Guangzhou Evergrande
Hu Zhicheng
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Nights like these must leave those associated with Guangzhou Evergrand's transfer plan purring. The sight of Wei Shihao tormenting his markers in a scintillating display of assertiveness and physicality surely make it all worthwhile.   

The 24-year-old starlet produced one of the most stunning individual performance since his controversial arrival from Beijing Guoan in February, earning Guangzhou Evergrande a 3-0 win over Shanghai Shenhua which hoisted them into second spot in the Chinese Super League on Monday night. 

Wei inflicted immense anguish on the hosts Shenhua throughout and scored twice to move Evergrande above Shanghai SIPG and cut league leaders Guoan's advantage to two points. 

Guangzhou Evergrand's Wei Shihao torments Shanghai Shenhua throughout their league clash at Hongkou Football Stadium, July 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

Guangzhou Evergrand's Wei Shihao torments Shanghai Shenhua throughout their league clash at Hongkou Football Stadium, July 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

Fabio Cannavaro's free-scoring side needed only 11 minutes to go ahead as Yan Dinghao tapped in a rebound following a scramble in the penalty area. 

To their credit, the struggling Shenhua improved after the early blow, with Liu Ruofan and former Inter Milan midfielder Fredy Guarin both having good chances to equalize but Wei had other ideas.  

He danced through Shenhua's packed defense in the 36th minute and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the upper right-hand corner to double Evergrande's lead, leaving Shenhua with a seemingly hopeless task. 

Quique Sanchez Flores' men were diligent in defense after the break and restricted Evergrande's chances although they did concede again when the imperious Wei ran onto Huang Bowen's superb lofted through-ball and fired into the far corner for his 10th goal of the season.

Guangzhou Evergrand acknowledge their fans after their league win over Shanghai Shenhua at Hongkou Football Stadium, July 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

Guangzhou Evergrand acknowledge their fans after their league win over Shanghai Shenhua at Hongkou Football Stadium, July 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

The flamboyant youngster, who had his hair styled in awkward dreadlocks, has now been directly involved in 15 goals in his 19 games in all competitions.   

In sharp contrast, Shenhua undoubtedly missed the Africa Cup of Nations-bound striker Odion Ighalo when they were let down by a lack of penalty-area ruthlessness. Flores' side actually threatened on occasions but they were horribly tentative in their attacking approach.  

It must have been startling for Flores to see the deterioration in his own players and the hosts' night was then summed up when they were denied a consolation goal late on as Giovanni Moreno's brilliant shot came back off the woodwork.  

It turns out the ostentatious Wei is reliable, after all.