Ex-England international Lingard was the difference between the teams, with the 32-year-old given an early sight of goal with a free kick that caused Port goalkeeper Yan Junling few problems as FC Seoul sought to pressure the home side early in the game.

Neither side impressed in the opening 45 minutes with Li Xinxiang, Wang Shenchao and Wei Zhen all squandering half-chances for the hosts.

Lingard, meanwhile, scuffed an effort on the turn that trundled through to Yan and Jeong Seung-won’s miss-hit effort was easily gathered by the Shanghai Port goalkeeper with FC Seoul looking the more likely to break the deadlock.

Three minutes after the restart the K League side did go ahead, with Lingard finishing off a flowing move with an empathic finish.

Marko Dugandzic burst down the right before feeding Choi Jun, who narrowly avoided straying offside to slip a return pass into Dugandzic and his layoff set up unmarked former England international Lingard to strike.

The lead, however, was to last just nine minutes as Port responded with a high quality goal of their own when Vital cut in from the left to launch a right foot strike into the top corner form 25 yards that gave Kang no chance.

But four minutes later FC Seoul were back in front with Lingard turning provider, the playmaker delivering a cross from the left that Lucas Silva nodded beyond Yan Junling to restore his side’s advantage.

Jeong Tae-wook directed the ball against his own crossbar as Shanghai Port sought to pull level again but, with 13 minutes left, the visitors sealed the points.

Lingard was on target once more, converting with a first time finish as the ball came across his body after Hwang Do-yun had raced into the Shanghai Port penalty to deliver the crucial pass.