Germany: Win puts Leverkusen back in first place

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November 29, 2009

FRANKFURT (AP) — Stefan Kiessling scored three goals Sunday to lead Bayer Leverkusen to a 4-0 win over Stuttgart to reclaim first place in the Bundesliga. The win gave undefeated Leverkusen 30 points, three more than Werder Bremen after 14 rounds, while Kiessling raised his league-high season total to 12 goals. Bremen had led for a day after a 2-2 draw at home Saturday against defending champion Wolfsburg. In the late match Sunday, Bayern Munich played in Hannover. Toni Kroos had a role in the first three goals and hit the post twice as Leverkusen dominated a Stuttgart side that produced one single chance. Stuttgart, the 2007 champion, is winless in its last seven Bundesliga games and remains stuck in 17th place, one above bottom. Kiessling scored first in the 22nd minute from Kroos’ free kick. Sami Hyypia rose at the far post and headed the ball down to Kiessling, who knocked it into the net from close range. Kroos, who is on loan to Leverkusen from Bayern Munich, floated a long ball into space for Eren Derdiyok to head past goalkeeper Jens Lehmann in the 39th. Kiessling made it 3-0 in the 59th, collecting a pass form Kroos to slot past Lehmann. The goalkeeper gave away a penalty when he downed Derdiyok, and Kiessling converted form the spot to complete the victory in the 87th. On Saturday, defender Per Mertesacker scored in the second minute of injury time as Werder Bremen rallied to draw 2-2 with Wolfsburg. Mertesacker’s header from close range after a corner from Mesut Oezil stretched Werder’s unbeaten run to 21 games in all competitions. Edin Dzeko scored both goals for visiting Wolfsburg, which led twice, while Hugo Almeida had the first goal for Werder. Also Saturday, Borussia Moenchengladbach edged Schalke 1-0 and promoted Mainz came from behind to draw 1-1 at home against Hamburg, which is now winless in six games. Three teams won on the road - Borussia Dortmund edged 10-man Hoffenheim 2-1, Freiburg won 1-0 over Nuremberg and Eintracht Frankfurt beat bottom-place Hertha Berlin 3-1. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.