Shanghai Port dominate Henan to provisionally ascend to Chinese Super League summit

In a commanding performance, two-time defending champions Shanghai Port cruised to a convincing 4-1 victory over Henan at home on Friday, catapulting the titleholders to the top of the Chinese Super League standings after overtaking city rivals Shanghai Shenhua, who have played one game less.

Port opened the scoring in the 21st minute, when Mateus Vital's expertly delivered free kick was met by Wang Shenchao's header, giving the hosts an early advantage. Just 16 minutes later, Vital struck again, finding the bottom corner with a precise shot from distance to double the lead.

As the first half drew to a close, Leonardo capitalized on a beautifully threaded through ball from Vital, rounding Henan goalkeeper Xu Jiamin to extend the home side's edge to 3-0 just before the whistle.

After the break, Gabrielzinho broke free down the left flank and delivered a cross that was volleyed home by Oscar Melendo, who notched his first goal since moving to Shanghai last month.

Henan's Felippe Cardoso managed to pull one back with a penalty kick in the 65th minute, but it was too little, too late as Shanghai Port secured all three points to push their total to 47, two more than Shenhua, who have a chance to go back on top with a win at Zhejiang on Satuday night.

Elsewhere, Yunnan Yukun also claimed a vital home victory, edging Wuhan Three Towns 2-1. Yunnan's Luo Jing fired in a spectacular long-range effort in the 35th minute to give his side the lead against his former club. The tide turned in the 51st minute, however, when Yunnan's Li Songyi knocked in an own goal to level the match.  

Undeterred, the hosts launched a swift counterattack in the 75th minute, with right-back Tang Miao setting up substitute Han Zilong, who made no mistake in restoring Yunnan's lead.

In stoppage time, Yunnan striker Pedro Henrique earned a penalty, but his spot kick struck the upright, leaving the scoreline intact. Ultimately, Yunnan's narrow victory extended Wuhan's skid to seven matches without a win.