Shanghai SIPG have all-but clinched the Chinese Super League title as Vitor Pereira's side fought back to snatch a dramatic 5-4 win over seven-time defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande to move to within one point of finally putting the trophy in someone else's hands.

Victory in the nine-goal thriller at Guangzhou's Tianhe Stadium moved SIPG five points clear of second-placed Evergrande with two games remaining and a draw against Beijing Renhe on Wednesday would be enough to give the big-spending Shanghai side its first trophy.

The win was SIPG's second in the league this season over Guangzhou meaning last year's runners-up have a better head-to-head record over Fabio Cannavaro's team, a deciding factor if the teams were to finish level on points.

"This is only a three-point game," said SIPG assistant coach Felipe Almeida, who stood in for Pereira as he served the last of a three-game touchline ban.