Takuya Nozawa hit a brace as Kashima Antlers returned to winning ways with a routine 3-0 victory over Vissel Kobe in the J. League on Saturday.
Nozawa's sixth and seventh goals of the season put Kashima in control at the break and Marquinhos sealed victory 16 minutes from time to nudge the champions two points clear at the top of the table approaching the midway point of the campaign.
Kashima has 34 points from 16 games, two clear of Nagoya Grampus, who beat Yokohama F. Marinos 2-0 away thanks to goals from league-leading scorer Josh Kennedy and Danilson. But former Asian club champions Urawa Reds (23) fell further adrift after a shock 1-0 defeat at home to unfashionable Omiya Ardija in the Saitama derby.