Kensuke Nagai's first goal of the season gave FC Tokyo a 1-0 win on Sunday over Nagoya Grampus to replace the J-League leaders at the top of the first division.

Nagai scored against his former team to break the deadlock in the 54th minute at Ajinomoto Stadium, breaking away with the ball near the half-way line after a pass from Keigo Higashi and driving it home with just the keeper to beat.

(Kensuke Nagai)

"I knew I was going to get the ball from Keigo the moment I saw him, so I started running," said Nagai, who joined FC Tokyo in 2017 after playing with Nagoya.

"I thought we could win if we opened the scoring, so that was all I was aiming for," he said. "I haven't been able to score in a while, so I'm glad I was able to do it."

Grampus had opened the season with three straight wins, with FC Tokyo just behind on two wins and a draw.

Nagoya dominated with more than 60 percent of possession and had multiple scoring chances, with 10 shots on target against FC Tokyo's five. The visitors, however, were kept at bay by goalkeeper Akihiro Hayashi, who made several superb saves including blocking a free-kick by Mateus from just outside the box.

"The players did very well. The game was a clash between Nagoya's defense and our speed, so it was all about which team would score more goals," FC Tokyo manager Kenta Hasegawa said. "I'm glad Kensuke (Nagai) scored."

The Yokohama F Marinos, who started the day in third place, had the chance to join FC Tokyo at the top on points, but blew it in a 2-0 loss to Oita Trinita and fell further down the table.

In another first-division match on Sunday, Sagan Tosu beat visitors Jubilo Iwata 1-0 at Ekimae Real Estate Stadium, with Spanish midfielder Isaac Cuenca heading home in injury time for his first J-League goal since joining Tosu ahead of this season.

At Sapporo Dome, Sho Ito grabbed a brace and Brazilian midfielder Leandro scored the other in Kashima Antlers' 3-1 win over Consadole Sapporo.

(Vissel Kobe's Lukas Podolski, right)

At Noevir Stadium Kobe, former Germany star Lucas Podolski opened the scoring for Vissel Kobe but visitors Shimizu S-Pulse leveled for a 1-1 draw.

Kawasaki Frontale lost 1-0 to Gamba Osaka, while Urawa Reds beat Cerezo Osaka 2-1 and Shonan Bellmare defeated Vegalta Sendai 2-1. Yoshifumi Kashiwa scored the only goal in Sanfrecce Hiroshima's 1-0 win over Matsumoto Yamaga at Edion Stadium.