CSL history may be made as SIPG beat Evergrande 5-4

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The much-anticipated match between the top two teams of Chinese Super League (CSL) produced an astonishing 5-4 result, as Shanghai SIPG reinforced their top spot by defeating Guangzhou Evergrande at Tianhe Sports Center in Guangzhou on Saturday evening.

Their encounter in the first half of the season was put off to September 18 due to a typhoon, and the game ended with Shanghai SIPG winning 2-1.

During the first half, five goals were scored, as Guangzhou lost twice and came from behind before the whistle.

Lv Wenjun of SIPG scored an opener in the 13th minute, but Paulinho's header on the half hour mark drew the rivals back to equal footing.

Gao Lin of Guangzhou Evergrande despairs during the match against Shanghai SIPG, Tianhe Sports Center, Guangzhou, China, November 3, 2018. /VCG Photo

In the 40th minute, Cai Huikang scored SIPG's second and Alan Carvalho leveled for Evergrande from a fake header struck by Yu Hanchao only two minutes later. Paulinho then made it three for the host team two minutes into added time.

Within five minutes of the second half, CSL top striker Wu Lei beat the national team's first choice goalkeeper Zeng Cheng to make it a remarkable 3-3.

Oscar's free kick at the 75th minute found the net with the "help" of Evergrande's Zhang Chenglin, and Hulk added a penalty at the 89th minute.

That wasn't the end as Alan Carvalho scored a penalty in the 4th minute of the second half's extra time – but it wasn't enough.

The 5-4 loss enlarged Evergrande's gap with SIPG to five points and, with only two rounds left, Fabio Cannavaro's men will need a miracle to prevent the crowning of a new champion.