Leverkusen close the gap

Bayer 04 Leverkusen returned to second place in the German Bundesliga on Sunday with a 3-1 win at home against FC Schalke 04.

Bierofka seals it
Although Schalke's midweek UEFA Cup hero Mike Hanke cancelled out Dimitar Berbatov's early opener, Marko Babic soon restored Leverkusen's lead. Anibal Matellan was sent off for the visitors before Daniel Bierofka's 57th-minute strike sealed Leverkusen's win. Klaus Augenthaler's side now sit a point behind undefeated leaders VfB Stuttgart, who have conceded just two goals in 12 league games this season.

Bayern rising
In the day's other game, FC Bayern München leapfrogged opponents BV Borussia Dortmund into fourth position after winning their fiery encounter 4-1 a the Olympiastadion. Ottmar Hitzfeld's men had already hit the woodwork four times before Michael Ballack headed them into a 27th-minute lead.

Brzenska off
Dortmund's Markus Brzenska was sent off for a second bookable offence just before half-time but his side rallied to find an equaliser four minutes into the second half, Jan Koller capitalising on Bixente Lizarazu's error to make it 1-1. However, Willy Sagnol soon restored Bayern's lead and further goals from Hasan Salihamidzic and Claudio Pizarro sealed the victory.