Undermanned squad Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC (10-5-7, 37 points) is on a roll with a three-game winning streak after the team pulled off a 2-1 upset over reeling defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC (15-3-4, 49 points) at the Hongkou Stadium on Saturday.

Former Seattle Sounders striker Obafemi Martins led head coach Gregorio Manzano's attack with a brace during the said 2016 Chinese Super League match as the Nigerian forward filled-in for the sidelined CSL top scorer Demba Ba, who is still recuperating from the serious leg injury he suffered almost a month ago.

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The former Chelsea striker fractured his leg after an accidental clash with Shanghai SIPG defender Sun Xiang at the 64th minute of the most recent Shanghai derby in the China top flight on July 17. He left the season as its leading goal scorer with 14 goals in 18 appearances.

Ba is currently in Doha recovering from his surgery and had already began rehabilitation sessions for his broken leg just less than a month after the operation as he aims to come back to the pitch before the new season starts next year.

Presently in his place in Shenhua's attack is the 31-year-old Martins, who opened the scoring right at the fifth minute of the match last Saturday with a feed from team captain Giovanni Moreno, via Soccerway.

Guangzhou Evergrande's lead striker Gao Lin was able to equalize the match quickly at the 12th minute after directing a cross from returning South Korean import Kim Young-gwon towards the net of Shanghai goalkeeper Li Shuai, as per Xinhuanet.

But Martins netted his second goal of the night three minutes before the halftime break, converting an assist from teammate Xiong Fei, to take back the lead for the hosts.

The game went scoreless from then on as the Flower of Shanghai held firm their third place standing so far in the league table. They are now two points ahead of cross-city rivals SIPG and only a point behind second-running team Jiangsu Suning.

Guangzhou suffered only their third loss this term and is still a long way at the top of the overall standings, 11 points above Jiangsu, with eight games left in their current campaign.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League news, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC, Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC