Kashiwa Reysol survived an early scare to beat bottom side Avispa Fukuoka 3-2 on Saturday and move level on points with Gamba Osaka at the top of the J. League.
Avispa, with just three wins to their name all season, stunned the Hitachi Stadium crowd by taking a seventh-minute lead through Hideya Okamoto, but a goal from Leandro Domingues just over 10 minutes later and another through Masato Kudo shortly before halftime put Kashiwa in the driving seat.
Ryohei Hayashi added a third midway through the second half, and although a quick reply from Hisashi Jogo ensured a nervy finish, a shock 1-0 defeat for league leaders Nagoya Grampus at home to Vegalta Sendai allowed Reysol and Gamba — 6-3 winners over Kawasaki Frontale — to leapfrog the champions in the table. Gamba lead on goal difference.