Taishi Taguchi scored a screamer from near the halfway line as Jubilo Iwata emerged 3-1 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League victors over Yokohama F. Marinos on Wednesday.

The guests took charge early on and raced into a comprehensive lead, sealed by Taguchi’s stunner that completed his brace after he spotted Hiroki Likura off his line.

Unfortunately, the win was marred by ugly scenes sparked by Guilherme Santos’ sending-off, but Jubilo resisted late pressure to come away with an impressive win.

However, reigning champions Kawasaki Frontale are now 10 points behind leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima after they succumbed 2-0 to struggling Urawa Reds at home after Shinzo Koriki’s brace - a result compounded by a straight red card for Jung Sung-ryong.

Sanfrecce are already eight points clear of second-placed FC Tokyo after Patric and Yoshifumi Kashiwa struck to give them a 2-0 win over Shimizu S-Pulse.

Tokyo’s 0-0 draw with Vissel Kobe was not a result that suited them as a three-game winning run came to an end, with Consadole Sapporo one point right behind after their 2-1 victory at Sagan Tosu.

Kashima Antlers pulled clear of the relegation zone with a win by the same scoreline over V-Varen Nagasaki, while Vegalta Sendai’s bright start continues to falter with a 1-0 loss to Gamba Osaka.

Cerezo Osaka were unable to match their neighbours after being held 0-0 by Nagoya Grampus, allowing Kashiwa Reysol to close within three points of them following their 2-1 win at Shonan Bellmare.