Yokohama F. Marinos moved eight points clear at the top of the J. League first division with a 2-0 win over second-place Kashima Antlers on Saturday.
Elber broke the ice just before the half at Nissan Stadium on a movement started by midfielder Tomoki Iwata, who scored the host's second just after the half.
"We had a little extra motivation today, and that contributed to this result," Iwata said. "It was a battle for the league leadership, and I was really looking forward to it."