Zhengzhi (R), the captain of Guangzhou Evergrande, receives a red card after his second yellow card for a hand ball during the team's Chinese Super League game against Changchun Yatai in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province, Sept 18, 2011. [Photo/titan24.com]

Chinese Super League club Changchun Yatai defeated visiting giant Guangzhou Evergrande 2-1 in front of a home crowd, ending the league leader's unbeaten 24-game record and costing a red card for their skipper Zheng Zhi.

Changchun took the lead after 14 minutes when Guangzhou defender Zhang Linpeng's pass was intercepted by Yovanny Arrechea and the Colombian striker steered the ball past Guangzhou keeper Yang Jun.

Guangzhou's best chance in the first-half came from Argentina's "multi-million" foreign player Dario Conca but his left-footed curl eight minutes before the interval was denied by Changchun keeper Mi Tianhe.

Sun Xiang cancelled out Arrechea's goal lead 10 minutes into the second-half when he was picked out by Zheng Zhi's free-kick and headed the ball past Mi from close range.

Changchun Yatai's Yovanny Arrechea (R) celebrates after scoring the first goal against Guangzhou Evergrande during their Chinese Super League game in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province, Sept 18, 2011. [Photo/titan24.com]

Guangzhou suffered a setback soon after when Chinese international midfielder and the team's skipper Zheng Zhi was sent off after receiving his second yellow card for a handball.

The visiting 10-man side almost grabbed a second goal 18 minutes before the end when Brazilian forward Muriqui clipped Gao Lin's pass onto the post.

Changchun sealed the victory when Wang Dong delivered a low cross into the path of Pei Shuai and his shot deflected off Guangzhou's South Korean midfielder Cho Won-hee before flying into the net.

"Zheng Zhi's sending-off cost us the game," said Guangzhou's Korean head coach Lee Jang-soo. "Bt the loss, on the other hand, eased psychological pressure on us since we felt anxious to extend the undefeated record. We'll put the defeat behind us and look forward."

Fans of Changchun Yatai hold a sign reading "Only Yatai could beat leader Guangzhou" during their Chinese Super League game in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province, Sept 18, 2011. [Photo/titan24.com]