Ryuji Bando struck twice and Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo added a second-half goal as Gamba Osaka remained in first place in the J. League standings after a 3-1 home win over rival Cerezo Osaka on Saturday.

Bando scored a 40th-minute opener and put Gamba 2-1 in front in the 78th minute with his 11th goal of the season before Endo settled the issue six minutes later at Expo Stadium.

The result gave defending league champions Gamba 49 points from 22 matches, two clear of Kawasaki Frontale, who were 2-1 winners at Yokohama F Marinos. Shimizu S-Pulse moved into third with 44 points after a 3-1 win away to JEF United Chiba, while the Urawa Reds are in fourth on 43 with a game in hand.

Gamba controlled the match from the outset and went in front when in-form Bando outwitted two defenders just outside the box and beat Cerezo keeper Motohiro Yoshida with a clinical finish.