Tevez scores but Shenhua thrashed in Shanghai derby

Shanghai (AFP) – “Overweight” Carlos Tevez climbed off the bench and scored but could not prevent Shanghai Shenhua getting hammered 6-1 at rivals Shanghai SIPG on Saturday in China’s biggest derby.

The 33-year-old Argentine, among the best-paid players in the world on a reported $850,000 a week, was not expected to feature at all after new Shenhua boss Wu Jingui said in the week Tevez was overweight.

But on Friday, Wu, who took over when Gus Poyet quit on Monday, said Tevez had been putting in extra training of his own accord to lose the bulk and praised his improved attitude.

Tevez, who has struggled for goals, fitness and form during eight disastrous months in China, made his entrance at the start of the second period and was given a muted reception by the visiting Shenhua fans. A few booed.

The Shanghai derby was at 0-0 when he came on, but Shenhua soon found themselves 3-0 down in a madcap five-minute spell.

Argentine former international Tevez then suddenly found himself all alone to slot in from close range in front of a boisterous and near-capacity crowd at the 56,000-capacity Shanghai Stadium to make it 3-1.

Brazilian international Hulk, who was a class apart, grabbed a brace for SIPG, second in the Chinese Super League (CSL) under Andre Villas-Boas.