Bayer Leverkusen have extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to three points and were the only top six side going into Week 14 that managed a victory, enjoying an emphatic 4-0 win over lowly Stuttgart. They were two goals up at half-time through Stefan Kiesling and Eren Derdiyok and Kiesling added his second and Bayer’s third just before the hour mark, before converting a penalty after 87 minutes to round up his hat-trick. Kiesling is in scintillating form, having scored six in his last four appearances. He is the top scorer in the league with twelve goals, double the amount of his nearest rival. Despite still being in with a chance of qualification for the knock out stages of the Champions League, Stuttgart’s league form has been dismal and they find themselves second bottom, having only chalked up one win in their last seven league matches.
With the rest of the top six all dropping points, Bayern Munich were able to move fourth with their 3-0 win away at Hannover. Thomas Muller put Bayern one up after nineteen minutes and Ivica Olic doubled their lead just after the break. Mario Gomez rounded off the win just before full-time with a fine left foot strike, his second goal in as many games. This was a vital win for the Bavarians and slightly eases the pressure on under fire boss Louis Van Gaal, at least for another week. Meanwhile, second place Werder Bremen played out an exciting 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg at the Weser-Stadion. The Wolves led twice during the game, both times through Edin Dzeko. His first came just before the interval and was cancelled out by Hugo Almeida midway through the second half. With his second, five minutes from time, it looked like the residing Champions had stolen the points, but Per Mertesacker rescued a point for Bremen, heading in from a corner in injury time and ensuring his side’s unbeaten run extended to an impressive 20 games.
Schalke lost away for the first time this season at Borussia Monchengladbach, Marco Reus scoring the only goal of the game after five minutes. Mainz continued to punch above their weight, holding Hamburg to a draw at their Stadion am Bruchweg where they have yet to be beaten this season. Tunay Torun put Hamburg in front after just three minutes and they held on for most of the game before Tim Hoogland scored a late equalizer. Borussia Dortmund enjoyed a fine win away at Hoffenheim. Jakub Blaszczykowski put the visitors in front two minutes into the game with Demba Ba equalizing just after the interval. Nuri Sahin won the game for Dortmund with a late penalty and the Hoff then had substitute Maicosuel sent off, having only been on the pitch for seven minutes.
At the foot of the table, Hertha Berlin were again unable to make up any ground on the faltering Stuttgart, succumbing to a 3-1 defeat, at home to Eintracht Frankfurt. Gustavo Ramos’ goal after 85 minutes was a mere consolation for the home side, with Frankfurt already 3-0 in front through Patrick Ochs, Maik Franz and Alexander Meier. Freiburg enjoyed what could be a vital win away at Nurnberg with Stefan Reisinger scoring the deciding goal after twelve minutes. Nurnberg hover just one point above the automatic relegation places along with Bochum who drew 0-0 at Cologne, themselves far from safety.
Full Results
Friday November 27, 2009
Bochum 0-0 Cologne
Saturday November 28, 2009
Borussia Monchengladbach 1-0 Schalke 04
Hertha Berlin 1-3 Eintracht Frankfurt
Hoffenheim 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
Mainz 1-1 Hamburg
Nurnberg 0-1 Freiburg
Werder Bremen 2-2 Wolfsburg
Sunday November 29, 2009
Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 Stuttgart
Hannover 0-3 Bayern Munich
