Undefeated Shanghai Shenhua continue to lead CSL standings after edging Shandong Taishan

Shanghai Shenhua beat Shandong Taishan 1-0 on the road in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, on Saturday to secure their seventh win of the 2024-25 Chinese Super League (CSL) season, staying undefeated and continuing to top the table.

Shenhua came closest to scoring in the first half, but Brazilian forward Saulo Mineiro's shot was saved by Taishan goalkeeper Wang Dalei. In the 65th minute, Gao Tianyi's corner kick was missed by Zhu Chenjie with the goal gaping.

Twelve minutes later, Gao charged in and headed a pass from Andre Luis into the net for the only goal of the game. The 1-0 victory was the fourth in a row for Shanghai, who sit three points ahead of second-placed Chengdu Rongcheng. Shandong suffered their second straight loss.

Chengdu managed to stay on Shenhua's heels after beating Changchun Yatai 2-1 on the road in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. Felipe Silva's header was saved, but Yuan Mincheng knocked in the rebound to give Rongcheng the lead five minutes into the first half.

Then in the 49th minute, Hu Hetao sent the ball towards the middle and Felipe headed it on to Wei Shihao, who nodded in the visiting side's second goal.

Changchun pulled one back three minutes later, when Tan Long lifted a cross for Slovenian midfielder Robert Beric to net.

In the night's third game, Shenzhen and Dalian battled to a 1-1 draw in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province.