Six-straight Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC opens their 2017 China top-flight campaign with a tough 2-1 win over capital city club Beijing Sinobo Guoan FC at their home field of Tianhe Stadium on Sunday.

Former Tottenham Hotspur standout Paulinho scored the two goals for head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's side, leading his team to a fine start as they try to defend the CSL title they won last year.

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The Brazil international netted the opening goal of the contest in the 19th minute after getting local midfielder Huang Bowen's free kick, as per Xinhuanet. Beijing Guoan nearly leveled the count six minutes later, but Paulinho's compatriot, Renato Augusto, had his strike clanged off Guangzhou keeper Zeng Cheng's crossbar.

August was then fouled in the 37th, sending Beijing striker Burak Yilmaz to the spot. The Turkey international successfully converted the ensuing penalty kick to make it a 1-1 count at the halftime break.

It was a back-and-forth game of attacks and premium defense from both sides from then on. The Southern China Tigers got a break in the 66th minute when Beijing defender Zhao Hejing was sent off, giving the Imperial Guards a one-man disadvantage.

Guangzhou team captain Zheng Zhi was then sent off in the 80th minute to make it a 10-on-10 match, but Paulinho was able to score his second goal of the game in the 87th to salvage the victory.

Scolari's team had played its fourth game in the last 11 days and so his other Brazilian imports, Ricardo Goulart and Alan Carvalho, were "not in their good state", CCTV English reported. Evergrande is currently on top of Group G competitions in the 2017 AFC Champions League after thrashing Hong Kong's Eastern FC, 7-0, on Feb. 22 and settling for a 2-2 draw with K League Classic's Suwon Samsung Bluewings on March 1.

Guangzhou will visit Shandong Luneng on Saturday at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium for their second CSL game of the season.

TagsChinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2017, 2017 Chinese Super League, Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC, Beijing Sinobo Guoan FC, Paulinho