Zhao Xuri and Zhao Mingjian both found the back of the net as Dalian Shide beat Shandong Luneng 2-0. At Dalian Jinzhou Stadium, the hosts proved the more dangerous from the outset with Zhao Xuri having a 30-yard long-range effort fly just wide.

Midway through the first half, the visiting side created their first effort of note when Chinese international Han Peng headed Cui Peng's cross into the path of Brazilian forward Cardoso dos Santos Sandro, but his volley failed to hit the target.

However, Zhao Xuri opened the scoring for the hosts one minute after the break with a superb free-kick from the right.

Dalian played good football today and they deserved the win.
Shandong Luneng manager Ljubisa Tumbakovic

The visitors intensified their attacking play after conceding the first goal, while Dalian went into a defensive shell to keep Shandong at bay. And in stoppage time, Zhao Mingjian clinched the points with a spectacular volley.

"Dalian played good football today and they deserved the win," said Shandong's Serbian manager Ljubisa Tumbakovic.

"We dominated the game for a certain period of time in the second-half, but it wasn't enough."

Shandong are now fourth in the table with 37 points, three adrift of current leaders Beijing Guoan who edged out Qingdao Zhongneng, Lang Zheng scoring the winner with an 11th-minute header.

"We put a lot of pressure on Shandong's midfield and it paid dividends," said Dalian coach Xu Hong. "We are still a young side and we need to continue to improve."

Dalian now climb to second on 38 points. Elsewhere, Guangzhou Guangyao drew 1-1 with Shaanxi Baorong while Hangzhou Luceng played out a 2-2 draw with Chengdu Blades.