Last season's top three clubs Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC, Shanghai SIPG FC, and Shandong Luneng Taishan FC all won their respective 2016 Chinese Super League matchday 5 encounters scheduled on Friday, April 15th.

Perennial contending squad Shanghai SIPG won the first match in the afternoon against Guangzhou R&F FC, 1-0, held at the Shanghai Stadium, via Soccerway.

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An own goal from the Blue Lions' Swedish import Gustav Svensson five minutes before the full time whistle blew decided the outcome of the game in favor of Sven-Göran Eriksson's side. It was the second win of the Red Eagles in their first five assignments as they climbed up to the third spot of the league table, two points behind current second-placers and erstwhile league leaders Jiangsu Suning.

In the second match of the day, five-time CSL champions Guangzhou Evergrande nipped tough team Henan Jianye, 2-1, at their home field of Tianhe Stadium to earn their fourth consecutive win of the young season after losing in their season opener, as per Sofa Score.

It was a come-from-behind victory for the Southern China Tigers as Henan's Australian defender Ryan McGowan netted the opening goal at the 18th minute of the contest.

The defending champions retorted with two goals in the second half, at the 59th and 66th minutes, courtesy of Brazilian winger Ricardo Goulart and vice-captain Gao Lin respectively to put head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's team temporarily at the top spot of the league table, two points ahead of Jiangsu.

Colombian striker Jackson Martinez did not score in his second consecutive appearance after scoring a goal in each of his first three games in the Chinese domestic top flight.

Finally, the third fixture ended in a 3-1 romp for Shandong Luneng over last season's China League One winners Yanbian Funde at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium, via Goal.

Shandong's Brazilian forward Aloisio opened the scoring at the 16th minute before Yanbian's South Korean midfielder Yoon Bit-garam equalized the match three minutes into the second half of play.

Brazilian manager Mano Menezes' boys would not be denied in their home ground, though, as an own goal from defender Jiang Hongquan gave the lead back to the hosts. Taishan Dui sealed the match with another goal from local midfielder Liu Binbin three minutes later off an assist from Diego Tardelli.  

TagsChina Football, China football 2016, Chinese Super League, 2016 Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2016, Shanghai SIPG, Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC, Shandong Luneng Taishan FC