Germany round-up: Ballack boost for Bayern

Bayern on top 
German international Michael Ballack, a summer signing from Bayer 04 Leverkusen, showed his class by scoring both his side's goals as they took over the lead from newly-promoted VfL Bochum 1848, who play FC Hansa Rostock tomorrow.

Penalty kick 
Ballack opened the scoring after 12 minutes at the Frankenstadion but the home side were level on 36 minutes after goalkeeper Oliver Kahn's foul on David Jarolím allowed Macedonian striker Sasa Ciric to equalise from the penalty spot.

Ballack on target 
However, Ballack was not to be denied as he earned all three points for Ottmar Hitzfeld's men with a goal after 52 minutes. The midfield player exchanged passes with Brazilian striker Giovane Elber before finishing in style.

Leverkusen go down 
It was not such a happy day for Ballack's old team, Leverkusen, as their miserable run continued with a 3-1 home defeat by Hannover 96. Yildiray Bastürk had given Leverkusen an 11th-minute lead before two goals from Fredi Bobic and a late Mohammadou Idrissou strike gave Hannover the points.

Dortmund held 
Reigning champions BV Borussia Dortmund were held 1-1 at home by FC Schalke 04, but it could have been worse for Matthias Sammer's side after Victor Agali's 70th-minute strike gave the visitors the lead. However, the UEFA Champions League contenders were back on level terms within a minute through Brazilian forward Ewerthon.

Kuranyi strikes back 
VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach also drew 1-1 at home, with Markus Münch's 50th-minute strike being cancelled out by a 71st-minute effort from VfB Stuttgart's Kevin Kuranyi. By then the home side were down to ten men following the dismissal of Max Eberl.

Piplica own goal 
It was an unhappy afternoon for FC Energie Cottbus's Tomislav Piplica after his 51st-minute own goal gave SV Werder Bremen maximum points at the Freundschaft stadium, and DSC Arminia Bielefeld were beaten at home by the same margin as a 52nd-minute strike from Marcelinho earned Hertha BSC Berlin the win.

Wolfsburg battle back 
In Saturday's other game, TSV 1860 München let a two-goal lead slip at home to VfL Wolfsburg and had to settle for a 2-2 draw. Michael Wiesinger and Markus Schroth scored early in the second half to put the hosts ahead but Robson Ponte and Diego Klimowicz hit back in the last 15 minutes to earn a point.