Top contenders Jiangsu Suning FC romped reeling squad Tianjin Teda FC, 2-0, last Saturday at their home field of Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre in a 2016 Chinese Super League game to hold firm to the second spot in the overall standings.

With the win, the second-running squad stayed six points behind five straight defending champions and still league leaders Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC with five games left in both teams' campaign this season.

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Jiangsu is currently on a four-game winning streak while the Southern China Tigers are also on a two-game winning run as the battle for the China top flight trophy is neck-to-neck as the 2016 season slowly winds down to its end.

Local midfielder Xie Pengfei broke the game's deadlock with a lonesome move from 20 yards out at the 13th minute to beat Tianjin goalkeeper Yang Qipeng in a one-on-one affair, CCTV English reported.

The visitors almost netted an equalizer at the 25th minute, but midfielder Hu Rentian's shot was off target.

With Jiangsu leading by one after the restart, Tianjin's second chance to tie came at the 52nd minute, but Mozambican defender Zainadine Junior's free kick hit the crossbar and off the goal.

After two missed opportunities for head coach Jaime Pacheco's side, Brazilian Alex Teixeira sealed the win for the hosts at the 61st minute with a spectacular strike off with Xie now providing the header assist, via Soccerway.

The goal was Teixeira's 10th in 24 appearances for Jiangsu Suning this term.

It was the sixth win in the last seven outings for head coach Choi Yong-soo's squad, which gives them a chance to contend against Guangzhou Evergrande for the CSL title at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Tianjin Teda is on a downward spiral with only one win in their last 12 games. The Tigers managed to snap their 10-game winless slide during the previous round with a 2-1 victory over Henan Jianye, but this loss to Jiangsu put them back down to earth again.

Tianjin is currently at the 13th spot of the league table with 27 points, a dangerous four points above the bottom two relegation zone. Unless they find some wins in their last six contests, they are at risk of being demoted to the China League One next term.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League news, Jiangsu Suning FC, Tianjin Teda FC