Albirex Niigata toppled Machida Zelvia 3-1 away from home in the J-League first division on Saturday, ending a two-game losing run while handing the surprise leaders their first defeat in seven games.
With their three-game winning run coming to an end, J1 debutants Machida were joined on 35 points by second-placed Kashima Antlers, who saw off Yokohama F Marinos 3-2 at home and now only trail on goal difference.
"We didn't want to shirk away from Machida's strength," Niigata manager Rikizo Matsuhashi said. "They ought to have the edge in height, power and pace, but we went head-to-head with them, and we were tough. We knew how to use our power during our spells, and my players judged the situations well."
In a clash of contrasting styles, high-pressing Machida pinned possession-based Niigata inside their own half until Yota Komi stunned the home crowd with a superb 24th-minute solo goal at Machida Gion Stadium.
Launching a run from well inside his own half, the stocky dribbler had a slice of fortune as a return ball from his teammate hit a Machida player and put him through on goal. Komi still had pressure from three players but calmly guided his shot around Japan keeper Kosei Tani.
Niigata thought they had their second just two minutes later, but Kaito Taniguchi's header off Komi's cross was cleared off the line by former Japan defender Gen Shoji. Machida drew level a minute later after Yu Hirakawa played a final ball through the legs of a defender for fellow Paris Olympic hopeful Shota Fujio to tap home.
Niigata were aggrieved after the referee seemed to have inadvertently impeded Australia defender Thomas Deng from tracking down a counter. But the visitors kept matching Machida's intensity and retook the lead in the 45th minute, also on a counter, that saw Taniguchi's shot deflect into the path of right-back Soya Fujiwara to slide home.
Zelvia defender Jang Min Gyu headed a free kick into his own net for Niigata's third in the 52nd minute, while Machida had Hirakawa sneak behind the opposing backline, only to send his shot against the post in the 63rd minute. Henry Heroki Mochizuki's late header was also kept out as Niigata moved up to 19 points.
Elsewhere, Takashi Usami hit a brace as Gamba Osaka won 2-1 at Shonan Bellmare to move up to 31 points. Holders Vissel Kobe are on 30 points after a 1-1 draw at Urawa Reds. Sanfrecce Hiroshima beat Jubilo Iwata 2-0.
