Slovenian striker Milivoje Novakovic scored twice to help propel Omiya Ardija to the top of the J. League — for 24 hours at least — with a 4-0 thrashing of Kashiwa Reysol.
Shohei Takahashi and Cho Young Cheol were also on target at Hitachi Stadium as the Saitama Squirrels stylishly extended their record of consecutive unbeaten J. League games to 19.
The result briefly moved Omiya (20) two points clear of Yokohama F. Marinos, who host promoted Ventforet Kofu on Saturday.