It would be a Guangzhou derby in the CSL as five time defending champions Evergrande took on R&F.

The champs came in on a 17 match unbeaten run in domestic competition and were expected to keep that going against the city rivals and maintain their large gap at the top of the standings.

But since their recent signing of Israeli Eran Zhavi, R&F have become a serious threat, a fact Evergrande would learn the hard way. 

Guangzhou R&F beat leaders Guangzhou Evergrande 2-1

Evergrande in red were chasing a fifth win a row, and they start strongly with Paulinho's free kick bringing a diving save from Cheng Yuelei in the R&F goal. 

And Cheng would have to stay on his toes to see off a close range attempt from Alan shortly after that. 

But minutes later, there is nothing he could do as Ricardo Goulart's long range effort takes a big deflection off Hyun-Soo Jang to give Evergrande the lead in the 32nd minute. 

It was no more than their domination deserved, but things change quickly after the half-time break. Renatinho's pass over the top finds Zahavi, and the Israeli international is able to turn on the defender before picking out Jang for the easiest of tap-ins and it's a 1-1 game. 

Then in the 78th minute, Zahavi is going to score on his second attempt to put R&F ahead for the first time with a 2-1 lead. 

Evergrande almost level straight away, but Yuelei is there again to deny substitute Yu Hanchao. 

R&F hang on for a memorable victory, inflicting a first defeat on Evergrande since their opening match of the season in March. 

In other games, Henan Jianye defeated Liaoning Whowin 2-1 at home to rise to sixth in the standings. And second placed Jiangsu Suning crushed Hebei Fortune 4-0 with Suning's new signing Roger Martinez scoring twice. Shandong Luneng also enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 victory over Hangzhou Greentown in rainy conditions while SIPG topped Chongqing Lifan 5-3 in an eight goal thriller. 

And due to heavy downpours in their cities, Beijing Guoan's match with Yanbian Fude and Tianjin Teda's showdown against Changchun Yatain would be postponed and have yet to be rescheduled.