Brazilian forward Marquinhos scored twice as defending champions Kashima Antlers joined Nagoya Grampus at the top of the J. League after beating Omiya Ardija 2-0.
Marquinhos put the hosts ahead after 22 minutes as he reacted quickest after Masaki Chugo's effort had struck the upright.
And the 32-year-old frontman took his season tally to 20 seven minutes before the break as he headed home Chugo's free-kick.
The Antlers moved level on points with Nagoya, who drew 1-1 with Urawa Reds on Sunday, at the top of the table, a point clear of third-placed Oita Trinita but having both played a game more.
Fourth-placed Urawa missed out on their chance to join Nagoya and Kashima at the top of the table after the Asian Champions League semi-finalists were held to a 2-2 draw by Kyoto Sanga.
Kyoto took the lead as midfielder Yusuke Nakatani fired home from inside the area after 27 minutes.
The Reds responded four minutes before the break as Brazilian forward Edmilson met Robson Ponte's free-kick with a low diving header.
The two combined just two minutes later to hand the Reds the lead at the break as Edmilson found Ponte, who crossed from the byline for Naohiro Takahara to bundle home at the far post.
But five minutes after the restart the Reds saw their lead cancelled out as former Japan international Atsushi Yanagisawa netted from just inside the area.
Reds manager Gert Engels brought on attacking trio Tadaaki Hirakawa, Yuichiro Nagai and Marcus Tulio Tanaka in an attempt to inspire his side.
The move nearly worked as defender Tulio, who has bagged nine goals this season while playing in more attack-minded roles, struck the bar and narrowly fired wide in the closing stages.
"I'm not really happy about this," said Engels. "We have played well but we couldn't get a good result.
"We should have taken three points away from the game. It was not necessary to give up the first goal.
"We need to do 5% more to win these games."
Also on Wednesday, Gamba Osaka beat 10-man Kashiwa Reysol 2-1.
Defender Sota Nakazawa slotted home a Masato Yamazaki rebound nine minutes before the break and Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo converted a penalty three minutes later to send seventh-placed Gamba on their way.
Kashiwa were reduced to 10 men just before the break as Brazilian forward Popo was sent off for violent conduct before Minoru Suganuma struck a consolation with seven minutes remaining.
And the 32-year-old frontman took his season tally to 20 seven minutes before the break as he headed home Chugo's free-kick.
The Antlers moved level on points with Nagoya, who drew 1-1 with Urawa Reds on Sunday, at the top of the table, a point clear of third-placed Oita Trinita but having both played a game more.
Fourth-placed Urawa missed out on their chance to join Nagoya and Kashima at the top of the table after the Asian Champions League semi-finalists were held to a 2-2 draw by Kyoto Sanga.
Kyoto took the lead as midfielder Yusuke Nakatani fired home from inside the area after 27 minutes.
The Reds responded four minutes before the break as Brazilian forward Edmilson met Robson Ponte's free-kick with a low diving header.
The two combined just two minutes later to hand the Reds the lead at the break as Edmilson found Ponte, who crossed from the byline for Naohiro Takahara to bundle home at the far post.
But five minutes after the restart the Reds saw their lead cancelled out as former Japan international Atsushi Yanagisawa netted from just inside the area.
Reds manager Gert Engels brought on attacking trio Tadaaki Hirakawa, Yuichiro Nagai and Marcus Tulio Tanaka in an attempt to inspire his side.
The move nearly worked as defender Tulio, who has bagged nine goals this season while playing in more attack-minded roles, struck the bar and narrowly fired wide in the closing stages.
"I'm not really happy about this," said Engels. "We have played well but we couldn't get a good result.
"We should have taken three points away from the game. It was not necessary to give up the first goal.
"We need to do 5% more to win these games."
Also on Wednesday, Gamba Osaka beat 10-man Kashiwa Reysol 2-1.
Defender Sota Nakazawa slotted home a Masato Yamazaki rebound nine minutes before the break and Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo converted a penalty three minutes later to send seventh-placed Gamba on their way.
Kashiwa were reduced to 10 men just before the break as Brazilian forward Popo was sent off for violent conduct before Minoru Suganuma struck a consolation with seven minutes remaining.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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