CSL: Beijing Guoan hold on for win against Henan, Shanghai Port edge Yunnan Yukun in thriller

Beijing Guoan maintained their unbeaten run in the Chinese Super League (CSL), eking out a slender 1-0 victory over Henan at home on Friday.

Early drama unfolded when Fabio Abreu thought he had put the hosts ahead in the ninth minute, only for the close-range finish to be ruled offside. The Angolan striker's frustration continued to grow eight minutes later, as he lashed a wild shot well over the bar, following a chaotic penalty area scramble.

Fang Hao provided the decisive moment in the 28th minute, with a deft stepover followed by a clinical low finish to break the deadlock. Guoan held firm despite a late setback, as Zhang Xizhe was sent off in the 90th minute for a reckless challenge against He Chao, leaving the hosts desperately looking to hang on with 10 men.

Despite the disciplinary blow, Guoan emerged with all three points, and now boast four wins and four draws to sit firmly in fourth place, while Henan linger in 12th.

In other action, defending champions Shanghai Port edged newly-promoted Yunnan Yukun 3-2 in a thrilling encounter on the road. Yunnan briefly thought they had taken the lead in the 15th minute, only for Hou Yongyong's effort to be ruled offside in the build-up.

Port broke the deadlock in the 20th minute after some slick interplay between Gabrielzinho and Leonardo, who finished neatly into the net. Gabrielzinho, having orchestrated the first goal, added a spectacular strike of his own early in the second half, a thunderbolt in the 47th minute.

Yunnan showed they can compete at this level, however, pulling one back through Pedro Henrique's composed finish in a one-on-one against goalkeeper Yan Junling, with 21 minutes left on the clock.

But the response was swift, as Leonardo restored Port's two-goal cushion four minutes later, capitalizing on a precise pass from substitute Wu Lei.

The closing stages were tense. Yan produced a sensational save to deny Hou's header in the 87th minute, but was powerless to stop Sun Xuelong's stoppage-time header that cut the deficit to 3-2. Despite dominating in shots and chances, Yunnan's failure to convert cost them again, extending their winless streak to four games.

Port sit third after eight matches, while Yukun rank 11th, a tale of narrow margins and fine lines that continues to define this season's Chinese top-flight drama.