Urawa Reds drew first blood in the pyschological battle against last year's treble winners Gamba Osaka on Saturday, beating them 1-0 to tighten their grip at the top of the J-League.

Slovenia forward Zlatan Ljubijankic fired home from close range with six minutes left to give the unbeaten Reds victory as Japan's best-supported club improved to 23 points from nine matches, four clear of Gamba.

Japan striker Takashi Usami came up short in his bid to set a Gamba club record by scoring for a seventh straight game and thumped the turf in frustration as one chance went begging in the second half.

Reds goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa had to be alert to keep out late efforts from Usami and Yasuhito Endo in a clash between the J-League's two best sides, who emerged with a split decision in last season's dust-up by winning each other's patch.

Japan forward Yoshinori Muto, who has been linked with a move to English champions-elect Chelsea and German club Mainz, headed a late winner as FC Tokyo beat visiting Kawasaki Frontale 2-1 to go second on 20 points.

Seven times champions Kashima Antlers continued their slide down the table after suffering a fourth loss of the season, surrendering 1-0 at home to lowly Ventforet Kofu.

Yokohama F-Marinos, another big-money side backed by Manchester City, are also seemingly in freefall level with Kashima on just 11 points after they suffered a 1-0 setback at promoted Montedio Yamagata.

In other matches, Nagoya Grampus comfortably beat Shonan Bellmare 3-0 at home for their third victory in four games while two-time champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima improved to 19 points after seeing off Vegalta Sendai 2-0.