Last season's runner-up team Shanghai SIPG FC defeated current cellar-dwellers Changchun Yatai FC, 3-1, in a 2016 Chinese Super League match held at the Development Area Stadium in Changchun on Sunday to register their third straight win in the China top flight.

The win also lifted the Red Eagles to the no. 3 spot of the league table with 11 points, three points behind second-running Jiangsu Suning FC and four points adrift of current league leaders and defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC.

Like Us on Facebook

Former Guangzhou striker, Elkeson de Oliveira Cardoso of Brazil, netted the opening goal of the contest for head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson's squad right at the sixth minute off an assist from local forward Wu Lei, as per Soccerway.

Changchun managed to level the count to 1-all at the 23rd with a goal from midfielder Yan Feng assisted by teammate Du Zhenyu, but it was all the hosts could deliver in the match. The tied score remained until the halftime break.

Argentine import Dario Conca then scored a goal one minute before the hour mark to give the lead back to Shanghai.

The third goal of the visitors came from Ghana international Asamoah Gyan, who sealed the win at the 72nd minute after coming off the bench at the 43rd for Lu Wenjun, as reported by Ghana Soccernet.

Gyan's playing time this season had been held back by disturbing injury problems and so the goal and general time on the field was a welcome one for the 30-year-old striker. The report noted that it was only the second goal for Gyan in four appearances this season.

"Great win... massive team effort... great to score again... God is the reason," Gyan said in a social media post after the game.

Meanwhile, Changchun is still without a win in six games this year in the China first division association football competitions. Yatai has alternated losses and draws in their last five matches after opening the season with a 1-2 loss to Hangzhou Greentown in early March.

TagsChina Football, China football 2016, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2016, 2016 Chinese Super League, Shanghai SIPG FC, Changchun Yatai FC