CSL: Shanghai SIPG rout 10-men Shenhua, Guangzhou Evergrande cruise

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Defending champions Shanghai SIPG smashed Shanghai Shenhua 4-0 to win the Shanghai Derby on the opening day of the 2019 Chinese Super League (CSL) season.

Cai Huikang's header from a free kick broke the deadlock in the 45th minute before Lyu Wenjun scored the second goal for Shanghai SIPG in the 64th minute, and the Brazilian striker Oscar scored in 77th minute to make it 3-0.

Odil Akhmedov scored the last goal on a quick counter-attack in the 87th minute to wrap up SIPG's fifth straight win over their cross-town rivals in CSL.

Guangzhou Evergrande, last season's runners-up, beat Tianjin Tianhai 3-0 at home. Wei Shihao scored in the 23rd minute from Li Xuepeng's pass, and Zhang Chenlin's own goal in the 36th minute helped Guangzhou to widen the gap. Feng Xiaoting scored in the 66th minute to seal the victory for Guangzhou.

Former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini scored the only goal during his first start for Shandong Luneng, in their season opener with a 1-0 home victory over Beijing Renhe.

Marouane Fellaini's (R) hits the winner for Shandong on his CSL debut. /VCG Photo

After a goalless first half, Luneng put more pressure up front. At the 50th minute of the game, Luneng pushed forward and Fellaini collected a pass from Wu Xinghan in the area and put the ball in the back of the net.

Marouane Fellaini said that he did not move from Manchester United to China "for a holiday" after scoring.

"It was tough. I was injured in the past month, and my physical condition is not good enough," Fellaini commented on his performance, "The Chinese league is difficult, it's new for me so I have to improve and know the game."

Results from the CSL first round on Friday:

Shandong Luneng 1-0 Beijing Renhe

Guangzhou Evergrande 3-0 Tianjin Tianhai

Shanghai Shenhua 0-4 Shanghai SIPG

Wuhan Zall 0-1 Beijing Guoan

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency