Chinese Super League: Capital Derby win returns Beijing Guoan to top spot

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The Chinese Super League title race continued with Beijing Guoan reclaiming first place, following a 2-1 home victory against city rivals Renhe. They temporarily fell one point back after Guangzhou Evergrande's win over Dalian Yifang a day earlier, but conquering the Capital Derby put them right back on top. Damion Jones has the story.

Nothing heats up a CSL summer like a back-and-forth run for the trophy, and with this season's second Capital Derby featuring Beijing Guoan in a must-win situation, Wang Ziming's fifth goal of the season gets the hosts off to a dream start, as the 22-year-old finds the net just six minutes into the game.

WANG ZIMING BEIJING GUOAN FORWARD "At the beginning of the match, we controlled the pace of play, and created a lot of opportunities. That gave me many chances to shoot, so I did my job as a forward."

CEDRIC BAKAMBU BEIJING GUOAN FORWARD "Yeah. He's a very good player and we help him for play better match after match, and tonight he scored one goal, so I'm very happy for him."

But in the 61st minute, cellar dwelling Beijing Renhe serve up a reminder that this is still a local rivalry, with Makhete Diop scoring for the eighth time this year to tie things at 1-all, and the man from Senegal believes Luis Garcia's return for a second stint as coach, will soon turn around their fortunes.

MAKHETE DIOP BEIJING RENHE FORWARD "Yes, yes, he will help us because today, physically we are very good, everybody fighting. He gives us confidence and I believe the team will be staying in the first league."

WANG ZIMING FIVE GOALS FOR BEIJING GUOAN THIS SEASON "Once we took the lead, we became a little too relaxed, but after the score was tied, we adjusted our attitude, found ourselves again, and regained control. The toughness of this game helped us improve."

Of course the majority of the fans at Workers Stadium remain anxious until nine minutes from time, when Renato Augusto's penalty kick puts the home side back in front 2-1, with the Brazilian's team-leading ninth Chinese Super League, and tenth overall goal of the campaign, turning out to be the winner.

DAMION JONES BEIJING "So Guoan are not showing any signs of being pressured by a tight championship chase, with the latest Capital Derby against Renhe proving to be business as usual -- the result leaving the team that wears green back in what has become a very comfortable position -- on top of the CSL table."

Seven-time champs Guangzhou Evergrande and reigning titleholders Shanghai SIPG are a mere two points behind Roger Schmidt's men, however, so a 16th win in 18 games only means there's a lot more work ahead, in the quest for Guoan's first CSL trophy in a decade. DJ, CGTN, Beijing.