CSL: Shanghai Port cruise past Henan to maintain pressure on Beijing Guoan

Two-time defending Chinese Super League champions Shanghai Port claimed a comfortable 3-1 victory at Henan on Wednesday to maintain their position in fourth place, just four points behind leaders Beijing Guoan.

The visitors struck first in the 32nd minute, courtesy of a deft backheel from Leonardo that set up Li Xinxiang for a composed finish.

Before the break, Gabrielzinho, on loan from Portuguese club Moreirense, unleashed a thunderous one-touch strike that rocketed into the roof of the net, his first goal for Port as emphatic as it was timely. The first half closed with a flourish as Leonardo capitalized on a slick move to score one-on-one, sending the reigning titleholders into the dressing room with a 3-0 lead.

Henan's home crowd found some solace in the 70th minute when Frank Acheampong headed in from close range to reduce the deficit to two, but the comeback fizzled out. Even the late dismissal of Port's Feng Jin proved inconsequential, as the visitors held firm to seal the win.

Elsewhere, Wuhan Three Towns grabbed a gritty 2-1 victory at Shenzhen New Peng City. The hosts struck early in the second half, with Tiago Leonço converting a neat finish. But Wuhan clawed their way back into the contest when Zhang Yujie's late challenge on Manuel Palacios resulted in a penalty, and Alexandru Tudorie calmly slotted in the equalizer.

The decisive blow came 15 minutes from time, as Palacios finished low after an elegant takedown. That sealed a vital win for the 2022 champions, who rose to ninth place, while Shenzhen remain mired in 13th.