SHANGHAI, Sept. 18 -- CHANGCHUN Yatai edged Shanxi Baorong 1-0 to draw level with defending champion Shandong Luneng on 42 points but Luneng retains its place at the top on goal difference after a 5-0 mauling of Shenzhen Shangqingyin in the 23rd round of the Chinese Super League.

Changchun was eager to end its three consecutive draws and winger Du Zhenyu nearly gave it the lead in the 14th minute with a long-range effort that was denied by the crossbar. The Chinese international midfielder then crossed for Wang Dong in the 32nd minute, who headed over the bar and then missed another chance 11 minutes after break.

The host's persistence finally paid off six minutes from time when substitute Cao Tianbao chested a ball into the open net on Tang Jing's header off a Wang Dong freekick. The game was held up briefly as the visitors protested that Cao had been offside, but the goal stood.

On Saturday, Li Wei - with a goal in the very first minute - and Lv Zheng had a brace and Han Peng had another as Shandong outplayed Shenzhen 5-0.

After the initial shocker, Shandong was unable to build on the advantage until 12 minutes after the break, when Li once again rifled home a long-range effort from just outside the box.

Lv scored Shandong's third in the 67th minute when Cui Peng headed Serbian Aleksandar Zivkovic's header into the path of the unmarked striker. He added the fourth minutes later on Zivkovic's cross.

Han Peng completed the rout six minutes before the end to become CSL top scorer with 13 goals, one ahead of striking partner Li Jinyu.

In other Sunday games, Beijing Guo'an edged Liaoning Xiyang 3-2 at home with Yan Xiangchuang's last-minute goal. The capital side is in third place with 41 points. Tianjin Kangshifu drew 1-1 away with Changsha Jinde to take fourth with 39 points on goal difference. Last-placed Xiamen Lanshi defeated Wuhan Guanggu 2-1.

On Saturday, Shanghai Shenhua was held to a goalless draw by Zhejiang Lvcheng to end the week in fifth. Shenhua lacked confidence in the absence of the injured Sergio Blanco and Diego Alonso.

"I couldn't understand our team's performance at front and in midfield. But we still have chance as there are six more games to go," said captain Li Weifeng.

Dalian Shide defeated Henan Jianye 3-1 to finish on 37 points.