Obafemi Martins announced his return to Shanghai Shenhua with a second half hat-trick in a 4-2 league win against Hebei on Saturday – his first senior career hat-trick in a competitive game.
Martins missed Shanghai Shenhua’s last game before the international break after he suffered a knock, but the 33-year-old former Inter Milan and Newcastle striker inspired his team’s comeback win.
The Nigeria International scored his first (62′) helping his side draw level after Hebei’s opener in the 48th minute.
Ezequiel Lavezzi then restored the visitor’s lead with a goal in the 64th minute, but Martins leveled again, scoring in minute 76.
From then on the hosts took the advantage. Colombian, Fredy Guarin netted an 82nd minute goal to give the 2017 China Cup winners the lead, before Martins sealed the victory, scoring his third on 90 minutes.
Earlier, Odion Ighalo and Changchun Yatai lost 1-2 to Guangzhou R&F. The Striker even missed a penalty in the 10th minute.
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