Brazilian striker Magno Alves rediscovered his scoring touch as Gamba Osaka beat Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3-2 on Wednesday night to maintain its two-point lead atop the J. League.
Urawa beat Albirex Niigata 3-1 courtesy of a Washington hat-trick while third-placed Kawasaki Frontale ended visiting Nagoya Grampus Eight's four-game winning streak with a 4-2 victory at Todoroki Stadium.
Elsewhere, former Real Mallorca striker Yoshito Okubo scored twice, but Cerezo Osaka remained at the foot of the table after a 4-4 draw away to fellow struggler Kyoto Purple Sanga.