Mu Kanazaki scored twice as reigning champions Kashima Antlers came from behind to beat Vissel Kobe 2-1 away and move top of the J. League first division on Wednesday night.
Kobe took the lead through Hirofumi Watanabe's header early in the second half at Noevir Stadium, but two excellent strikes from Kanazaki turned it around as Kashima leapfrogged Cerezo Osaka into the top spot.
Kashima has 46 points, two clear of Cerezo with a game in hand. Cerezo squandered a two-goal lead and went down 3-2 away against Shimizu S-Pulse, who secured victory thanks to a brace from Koya Kitagawa.