National midfielder Yu Tao, who was included in Shenhua's starting line-up for the first time this season, scored the winner for the CSL runners-up seven minutes after the break as he collected a rebound outside the box and drilled the ball into the right corner.

The goal was Shenhua's first in this year's CSL after they were shocked by Beijing Guo'an 2-0 last week.

Both teams played their Champions League openers on Wednesday when Shenhua lost 2-1 to Sydney FC at home and Shandong edged Adelaide United 1-0 away.

Shenhua found their form early in the game and, in the third minute, Uruguay import Sergio Blanco's diving header at the near the post sent the ball home, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

Just five minutes later, Shandong forward Cui Peng latched onto Aleksandar Zivkovic's pass from the right and curled in an angled shot that hit the post.

Shandong found their rhythm after Cui's shot and began putting constant pressure to the hosts and, in the 31st minute, Wang Yongpo shot just wide 20 yards from goal.

The champions lacked any luck and, 11 minutes after Yu had given Shanghai the lead, Cui hit the post again, this time after the Shanghai defence had failed to clear an attempt by left winner Mao Jianqing.

Shandong failed to break through Shanghai's defensive shell in the final 25 minutes and, to add insult to injury, Wang Yongpo was sent off in added time after a foul on Lu Xin.

Meanwhile, in Sunday's other games Changsha Ginde overpowered Zhejiang Lvcheng 3-2, Qingdao Zhongneng beat Liaoning Huludao 2-0, Beijing Guo'an were held by He'nan Jianye 0-0 and Shaanxi Baorong lost to Xiamen Lions 1-2.

On Saturday, eight-time champions Dalian Shide downed Changchun Yatai thanks to a volley from Zou Jie while Tianjin Teda defeated Shenzhen Kingway 2-0, with goals from Cao Yang and Hao Junmin.