TOKYO - FC Tokyo eased past 10-man bottom side Tokyo Verdy 4-0 away from home in the J.League first division on Saturday, securing their fifth straight win all with clean sheets.
FC Tokyo are level on 23 points with Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who beat Kyoto Sanga 3-0 at home to top the J1 standings on goal difference.
Kashiwa Reysol, who were top after the last round of fixtures, were beaten 3-1 at home to Nagoya Grampus and remain on 21 points as their three-game winning run came to an end.
FC Tokyo lost their opening game of the season but have since gone nine games unbeaten, with Rikizo Matsuhashi's side conceding just one goal in the last eight games.
Verdy, who have not scored multiple goals in a game this season, went a man down in the 18th minute when forward Itsuki Someno received a straight red for kicking FC Tokyo captain and defender Hayato Inamura in the face while challenging for a bouncing ball.
Verdy keeper Matheus made a fine save to deny Soma Anzai's powerful header in the 21st minute but had no chance when defender Alexander Scholz headed in a left-wing corner unmarked in the 41st minute at Ajinomoto Stadium.
Marcelo Ryan scored a 55th-minute penalty after a Verdy handball, Motoki Nagakura steered home a low right-wing cross in the 68th minute and Dani Gomez wrapped things up by scoring through the legs of the keeper in second-half stoppage time.
The capital derby defeat keeps Verdy stranded at the bottom in 20th spot on four points from four draws and six defeats.
