With second-placed Kashima Antlers not in action, Nagoya took full advantage to ramp up the pressure on their rivals in the title race. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Kennedy was felled in the box by Cerezo defender Taikai Uemoto and the Australia international picked himself up to convert the spot kick for his league-leading 16th goal of the season.

Gamba Osaka missed the chance to go second after twice relinquishing the lead in a 4-2 home defeat to Vissel Kobe.

Takashi Usami gave Gamba a 22nd-minute lead that was wiped out by Takayuki Yoshida 14 minutes later.

Lee Keun-ho restored the hosts' advantage four minutes before the break but Hiroyuki Komoto levelled again for Kobe two minutes into the second period. Further goals from Keijiro Ogawa and Raphael Botti sealed the points.

Kyoto Purple Sanga's J.League future looks ever more precarious as Shingo Akamine's 27th-minute goal condemned them to a 1-0 defeat at Vegalta Sendai. Kyoto are level on points with Shonan Bellmare but remain off the bottom of the table by virtue of goal difference.

FC Tokyo win 2-1 at Shimizu S-Pulse thanks to goals in each half from Sota Hirayama and Masashi Oguro. Genki Omae replied for Shimizu 12 minutes from the end almost immediately after coming on.

Kawasaki Frontale drew 1-1 at home to Jubilo Iwata, Gilsinho putting the visitors in front after 68 minutes only for Takuro Yajima to hit back eight minutes later.

Finally, Urawa Reds went down 1-0 at home to Montedio Yamagata - substitute Yuzo Tashiro doing the damage nine minutes from time - while Shonan's game with Omiya Ardija was postponed due to a typhoon.