World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi added the Chinese Super League title to his long list of honours after a late goal by Gao Lin meant Guangzhou Evergrande became the first side to retain the title.
The Chinese international striker scored in stoppage time as Lippi's big-spending side defeated Liaoning Whowin 1-0 away to leave them five points ahead of second-placed Jiangsu Guoxin Sainty with only the 30th and last match to come.
Lippi, who won the World Cup with Italy [ Images ] in 2006, was appointed coach of Guangzhou in May, after controversially replacing highly successful South Korean Lee Jang-soo.
The well-paid Italian, who won numerous trophies with Serie A giants Juventus [ Images ], could make it a league and cup double in his first season in charge with Guangzhou taking on Guizhou Moutaiwas in the two-legged final of the FA Cup next month.
The Chinese Super League has enjoyed a rebirth in recent times with vast investment in big-name foreign players bringing positive headlines to the domestic game after years of match-fixing, which resulted in the jailing of senior officials.
Lippi's side, who were knocked out of the Asian Champions League [ Images ] in the quarter-finals by Saudi Arabians Al-Ittihad earlier this month, boast the attacking South American trio of Argentine Dario Conca and Brazilian duo Cleo and Muriqui.
Shanghai Shenhua, who signed strikers Didier Drogba [ Images ] and Nicholas Anelka [ Images ] from European champions Chelsea [ Images ], drew 0-0 away to Dalian Aerbin on Saturday to ensure they avoided relegation from the 16-team league.
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