Shimizu S-Pulse won the clash of the top two after they overcame Kashima Antlers 2-1 at Outsourcing Stadium to replace the visitors as J.League leaders.
Shimizu took the lead in the 37th minute when Daiki Iwamasa handled Shinji Ono's free-kick and Jungo Fujimoto sent keeper Hitoshi Sogahata the wrong way from the spot.
Kashima drew level in the 58th minute when Shinzo Koroki nodded home Toru Araiba's cross at the back post but Takauma Edamura scored the winner with 16 minutes to go in somewhat fortuitous circumstances as Masahiko Inoha's clearance hit the substitute and ended up in the net.
Kyoto Purple Sanga remain bottom of the table after a 2-0 home defeat to Albirex Niigata. Cho Yong-cheol's 28th-minute strike was supplemented by Hiroki Mizumoto's own goal 12 minutes from time as Albirex move into fourth.
Elsewhere, Tomotaka Kitamura's goal enabled Montedio Yamagata to edge out Jubilo Iwata 1-0, Omiya Ardija beat Shonan Bellmare 3-0 to move away from the bottom, Gamba Osaka won 2-0 at Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Yokohama F Marinos saw off hosts Vegalta Sendai 1-0.
Kashima drew level in the 58th minute when Shinzo Koroki nodded home Toru Araiba's cross at the back post but Takauma Edamura scored the winner with 16 minutes to go in somewhat fortuitous circumstances as Masahiko Inoha's clearance hit the substitute and ended up in the net.
Kyoto Purple Sanga remain bottom of the table after a 2-0 home defeat to Albirex Niigata. Cho Yong-cheol's 28th-minute strike was supplemented by Hiroki Mizumoto's own goal 12 minutes from time as Albirex move into fourth.
Elsewhere, Tomotaka Kitamura's goal enabled Montedio Yamagata to edge out Jubilo Iwata 1-0, Omiya Ardija beat Shonan Bellmare 3-0 to move away from the bottom, Gamba Osaka won 2-0 at Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Yokohama F Marinos saw off hosts Vegalta Sendai 1-0.
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