Jorge Wagner fired Kashiwa Reysol back to top of the table and increased Montedio Yamagata's relegation fears in the process with a 1-0 win in the J. League first division on Sunday.
The Brazilian midfielder secured the points with a twice-taken penalty in the first half to put Reysol two points ahead of Gamba Osaka, who were thrashed 4-1 by champions Nagoya Grampus on Saturday.
With five games of the season left, the title race remains poised for a dramatic climax. Kashiwa has 59 points, Gamba have 57, Grampus have 56 while Yokohama F. Marinos, held 1-1 by Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Saturday, are a further four points adrift.