HONG KONG (WS News) – Shanghai Port completed a successful defence of their Chinese Super League title on Saturday when Kevin Muscat’s side gave Tianjin Tigers a 5-0 thrashing on the final day of the season to finish one point ahead of cross-city rivals Shanghai Shenhua.
Port, who won the first of their three league titles in 2018, went into the game needing to match Shenhua’s result to retain the trophy and started quickly at Pudong Arena when Leo Cittadini scored from close range in the fourth minute.
Matias Vargas doubled the lead 30 minutes later when a VAR review determined the Argentinian’s volley had crossed the line despite attempts by goalkeeper Fang Jingqi to push the ball to safety.
An Oscar penalty 10 minutes into the second half put Port further ahead and moments later the Brazilian set up Wu Lei to score the first goal of a second-half brace with a clinical left-foot finish.
Wu completed the rout with nine minutes remaining when he sent a looping header over Fang from Wang Shenchao’s right-wing cross, confirming Port’s title win.
Shenhua had to make do with second place after defeating third-placed Chengdu Rongcheng 2-1, with goals from Wu Xi and Yu Hanchao earning Leonid Slutsky’s side victory after Dong Yanfeng had put the hosts in front in the 42nd minute.
