GUANGZHOU, May 12 (Xinhua) -- The seven-time Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande were held by Hebei China Fortune 2-2 at home on Saturday, failing to top the table.
Evergrande and China Fortune both created and at the same time missed a lot of chances to score in the first half. Ricardo Goulart put the reigning champions ahead in the 18th minute but Argentina striker Ezequiel Lavezzi equalized for the visitors six minutes later.
Evergrande were wobbling a bit after their rivals' first goal on their home soil since 2016. Anderson Hernanes's close range volley shot helped Hebei take the lead in the 32nd minute.
Javier Mascherano organized a solid defense system for Hebei. But Goulart's header in the 62nd minute threw Tianhe stadium into frenzy.
One minute after the hosts' equalizer, Evergrande earned a penalty, but the referee changed his judgement with the assistance of the VAR system.
Hebei's Wang Qiuming almost netted the winner in the 72nd minute, but his low shot in the box was denied by the goalpost.
The league bellwethers Shanghai SIPG tied Guizhou Hengfeng 1-1 in Southwest China's Guiyang and still maintained their top place on the table.
Graziano Pelle contributed a remarkable overhead kick for Shandong Luneng after receiving the goalkeeper Wang Dalei's header pass just before the whistle, helping Luneng pull off a 1-1 draw with Tianjin Quanjian.
Luneng chased closely behind leading SIPG at the league table. Both teams have the same points.
In other actions on Saturday, Changchun Yatai lost to Tianjin Teda 1-0, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua beat Chongqing SWM Motors 2-1.