Shanghai SIPG lost ground on leaders Guangzhou Evergrande after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Hebei China Fortune in the Chinese league on Thursday.
Andre Villas-Boas’ visiting side took the lead in the 7th minute when Hulk set up his fellow Brazilian Elkeson with a superbly weighted pass that the striker fired into the Hebei goal past by Yang Cheng.
Yan Junling pulled off a series of fine saves to keep the home side in the lead, but he was finally beaten in the 71st minute when Ezequiel Lavezzi scored with a shot from a tight angle.
Three minutes later Hebei took the lead, Gao Zhunyi finding the net following a goalmouth scramble to put Manuel Pelligrini’s side ahead.
With time running out Shanghai SIPG snatched a late equaliser, Hulk again was the provider as his low cross was clipped into the Hebei goal by He Guan in added time.
Shanghai SIPG remain in second place in the table behind Guangzhou Evergrande who extended their lead to five points after a 3-0 victory at Liaoning Whowin, Hebei are sixth.
