The win was the fifth consecutive win for Guangzhou and it’s no surprise they currently lead the standings with a massive 11-point gap over second placed Jiangsu Suning.
Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande secured top spot in the Dalian group of the coronvirus-divided season with a 2-1 win over Henan Jianye on Monday.
Elkeson, the Brazil-born China striker, opened the scoring from the penalty spot
before Paulinho put Fabio Cannavaro’s side 2-0 up tapping home from on the line after Fernandinho’s shot was blocked by the Henan keeper.
Henan’s Olivio da Rosa halved the deficit just before the half-hour mark and it should have been level midway through the second half but Fernando Karanga was denied from 12 yards by goalkeeper Liu Dianzuo.
Victory confirmed that the champions will face the fourth-place team in the Suzhou group when the second round begins.
Guangzhou Evergrande have been on top form so far and they look to be just about unbeatable right now.
They have not lost in over a month and it would take a lot of quality for any side to stop them as it is.
Midfielder Paulinho also looks to be on top form so far this season. In 12 appearances for Guangzhou Evergrande this season, the Brazilian has found the back of the net nine times and looks to be in inspired goal-scoring form at the moment.
Up next for Guangzhou is an away game against second-placed Jiangsu Suning on Thursday. A victory for Fabio Cannavaro’s men will more than surely confirm their top spot in the Dalian group of the Chinese Super League.
