Changchun Yatai forward Odion Ighalo has equalled the like of Peter Utaka and Kwame Ayew’s record for Chinese Football League most goals in a game.
The 28-year-old was criticised for his no-show during the international break but the forward gave an emphatic response to net four goals in a match for the second time in his career as Yatai demolished hosts Guizhou Hengfeng 5-2 on Saturday.
The Nigerian put his side ahead in the 24th minute via the penalty spot before his second in the 38th minute as Chen Jingang’s men went into the halftime break with a 3-1 one lead.
He completed his harvest of goals in the 86th and 90th minutes to hand his side their biggest away win of the season.
With his haul, Ighalo becomes the 11th player in Chinese Football League to score four times in a game.
He joins Utaka, Ayew, Hu Zhijun, Hao Haidong, Zoue Jie, Li Bing, Li Jinju, Elvis Scott, Eber Cucchi and Eran Zahavi in the record books.
Ighalo first time achieved this feat during Watford's 7-2 thumping of Blackpool in an English Championship game on January 14, 2015.
Changchun Yatai are now ranked 10th in the Super League with eight points from seven games. They host Shanghai SIPG FC in their next fixture on April 29.
