Beijing Guoan creep closer to top of CSL after top two clubs both lose

Beijing Guoan, who currently sit in third place in the Chinese Super League (CSL) standings, have a much clearer path to potentially surpassing leaders Shanghai Shenhua and second-placed Chengdu Rongcheng after the top two teams suffered unexpected losses on Saturday.

Beijing took care of business, on the other hand, beating Changchun Yatai 2-1 at home for their eighth win of the season to remain undefeated after 13 matches.

The home team's first goal came on a gift from the opposing side's goalkeeper, Wu Yake, who passed the ball straight to Guoan midfielder Zhang Xizhe in front of the box in the 17th minute. The veteran playmaker quickly turned the miscue into a 1-0 advantage.

Seven minutes later, Fabio Abreu took away possession on Changchun's side of the field, and wasted no time finding Cao Yongjing for Beijing's second goal. Yatai fought hard to recover and pulled one back in the 88th minute when He Yiran set up a one-on-one chance for Tan Long to score.

After collecting 29 points from their first 13 matches, Guoan have a game in hand while moving just three points behind Shanghai Shenhua and one adrift of Chengdu Rongcheng, with both of those sides coming up short in their 14th contests of the campaign.

Shenzhen upset Shenhua 3-1 at home in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, to pick up their fourth win of the season. Although Andre Luis put the visitors from Shanghai ahead 1-0 in the 28th minute, Zhang Yudong tied the score for the home side in the 36th minute with a long shot.

Five minutes into the second half, Edu Garcia sent a cross into the box for Zhang Yujie, who netted a goal that put Shenzhen on top 2-1. After Shenhua's attacks failed to produce anything, the hosts added their third goal in stoppage time to seal the deal. Garcia collected his second assist of the night, setting up Rade Dugalic find the net.

Rongcheng visited Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, and were stunned by Henan 3-2. Wei Shihao's goal in the eighth minute gave Chengdu an early 1-0 advantage that lasted just seven minutes. Huang Zichang earned a penalty kick for the hosts after being taken down by Yuan Mincheng. Felippe Cardoso stepped up to the spot and calmly converted the equalizer.

In the 21st minute, Wei found Felipe Silva, whose goal put the visitors ahead again. But six minutes later, Cardoso set up Huang to level the score again for Henan.

The hosts took the lead in the 69th minute when Bruno Nazario's corner was headed in by Frank Acheampong. Henan kept the lead until the end of the game to claim their fourth win of the season.

Beijing will host Qingdao West Coast on Tuesday, and a win would move them ahead of Shenhua for first place in the CSL standings on goal difference.

Saturday's Other Results (Home Teams Listed First):

Zhejiang 2-2 Shanghai Port

Qingdao West Coast 0-0 Yunnan Yukun

Tianjin Jinmen Tiger 1-0 Shandong Taishan