Urawa Reds moved top of the overall J. League table and exorcized a few demons along the way with a 4-0 win over Gamba Osaka on Saturday.
Reds, who had lost their last four games against Gamba, took a sixth-minute lead at Saitama Stadium through Toshiyuki Takagi before Yuki Muto doubled their lead five minutes into the second half.
Tomoya Ugajin and substitute Zlatan Ljubijankic then added late goals to complete a comfortable afternoon for Urawa, which moved one point ahead of Kawasaki Frontale in the overall table and then stayed there when Frontale lost 3-0 to Vissel Kobe later in the day.