Carlos Tevez scored in his debut China top-flight game to help Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC pull off a stunning 4-0 upset win over last season's runners-up Jiangsu Suning in a 2017 Chinese Super League season match held at the Hongkou Stadium on Sunday.

Tevez, who is currently the world's highest-paid footballer with a per week salary of more than $750,000, netted a penalty kick in the 36th minute to open his Shanghai Shenhua account after assisting on team captain Giovanni Moreno's opening goal in the 17th for a 2-0 lead, ESPN reported.

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Chinese forward Mao Jianqing then made it a 3-0 count in the 79th minute before Moreno received another assist from Tevez four minutes before full-time to complete the Flower of Shanghai's four-goal haul. It was a huge win for Shenhua, who was unexpectedly eliminated early in the playoff round of this year's AFC Champions League tournament, 0-2, by the A-League's Brisbane Roar.

"Today we have proved ourselves by defeating a great team such as Jiangsu. I hope our fans can enjoy the win," said Shenhua head coach Gus Poyet after the match. "I am extremely happy for Tevez. Goals are important, and he has started his CSL journey with goals."

Jiangsu played without former Chelsea star Ramires due to injury, which left his fellow Brazilian Alex Teixeira as "the main attacking outlet" for Jiangsu manager Choi Yong-soo, via the South China Morning Post. Capping Suning's tragic game was the sending off of Teixeira in stoppage time, which would result in a one-game suspension.

Tevez, 33, is a former Manchester United, Manchester City, and Juventus standout. He was acquired by Shanghai Shenhua last December from Argentina club Boca Juniors for a transfer fee of $11 million.

He was a formidable goalscorer during his time in the Premier League and Serie A, scoring 34 goals in 99 appearances in two seasons for the Red Devils. In his four-season stay with City, Tevez scored 73 goals in 148 games. He then netted 50 goals in 95 appearances for Juventus in two seasons as well.

TagsChinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2017, 2017 Chinese Super League, Carlos Tevez, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC, Jiangsu Suning FC