Utaka stars in Dalian win

Nigerian striker Peter Utaka scored a hat-trick to lead Dalian Aerbin to a 5-2 victory over Shandong Luneng in the Chinese Super League.

 Utaka was joined by Yu Dabao and Fabio Rochemback on the scoresheet as Dalian moved ahead of Shandong on the CSL table thanks to Saturday's result.

 Yu gave the home side the lead in the 23rd minute before Utaka made it 2-0 in first-half injury time, running onto a quick pass out of defence to hold off his defender and score.

 Shandong hit back in the 63rd minute when Wang Yongpo scored from the penalty spot.

 It was the first of three goals in five minutes as Utaka added his second in the 65th minute before Du Wei scored for Shandong to make it 3-2.

 But Dalian again had a two-goal cushion when Rochemback's free-kick flashed past everyone in the box as well as Shandong's goalkeeper to sneak in with 18 minutes left. Utaka wrapped up the victory and his hat-trick when he hit a strong volley on the turn in the 86th minute.

 The win moves Dalian into 10th spot on the CSL table with 20 points, just ahead of Shandong on goal difference.

 Elsewhere, Hangzhou shocked third-placed Beijing Guoan with a 2-0 win in pouring rain. The visitors took the lead through Brazilian striker Mazola when he finished off some smart work down the right wing in the 13th minute.

 Hangzhou clinched victory when Renatinho added a second goal with nine minutes left in the game.

 In Saturday's other match, league leaders Guangzhou Evergrande won 2-1 away to Henan Jianye.

 Zhao Xuri and Lucas Barrios scored for Evergrande, while Xu Yang hit the back of the net for the home side.

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