Ryuji Bando and Magno Alves gave FC Tokyo a taste of their own medicine with two goals apiece as Gamba Osaka came from two goals down to coast to a 6-2 win and preserve their five-point cushion at the top of the J. League on Saturday.

News photoUrawa Reds midfielder Yuki Abe battles Shimizu S-Pulse forward Takuro Yajima for the ball up in the air during their J. League first-division match on Saturday at Nihondaira Sports Stadium. Reds won 1-0. KYODO PHOTO

Early strikes from Takashi Fukunishi and Norio Suzuki had put visiting Tokyo in control but Takahiro Futagawa ignited Gamba's comeback and Magno Alves finished the job in style to keep the 2006 champions in pole position at the midway point of the season.

After 17 games played, Gamba have 38 points while reigning champions Urawa Reds stayed in touch after Yuki Abe scored the only goal of the game at Shimizu S-Pulse to give the Reds their first league win at Nihondaira Stadium in a decade.