The Kashima Antlers leapfrogged Gamba Osaka to take a one-point lead at the top of the J. League first division with a 3-1 win at Kyoto Purple Sanga on Saturday. Gamba went down by the same score at home to third-placed side Kashiwa Reysol.
Japan defender Koji Nakata and striker Takayuki Suzuki put Kashima ahead with goals just before halftime in Kyoto and substitute Masashi Motoyama added a third in the 76th minute to send the Antlers to the top of the second-stage standings with 27 points from 12 games.
Gamba blew the chance to stay top with just three fixtures left as late goals from midfielder Mitsuteru Watanabe and striker Hideaki Kitajima broke a 1-1 deadlock at Expo Stadium. Gamba's Brazilian midfielder Vital was sent off in the first half for violent conduct.