Nürnberg slip boosts Bayern

Squandered chances
Nürnberg's Tunisia midfielder Jawhar Mnari fired his side ahead from 25 metres after ten minutes and the visitors looked in complete control thereafter. Robert Vittek almost made it 2-0 with a snap-shot ten minutes before half-time and Marek Mintál flashed an effort wide via a deflection on the hour. Energie did not have a single opportunity in the second half until Steffen Baumgart found himself in the right place to turn the ball in from close range following a weak defensive header seven minutes from time.

Bochum comeback
Meanwhile, Bochum's second-half comeback provided welcome relief for their supporters as it secured a first league victory of the campaign. Arminia, who had beaten FC Bayern München last weekend, took an early advantage when Petr Gabriel scored with a header in the 11th minute. Bochum did little of note in the opening period but grabbed an equaliser with Fábio Júnior Parreira's calm finish on 58 minutes, before Ivo Ilicević dinked the ball over the goalkeeper from a Zvjezdan Misimović throughball for the winner in the 73rd minute.

Bayern gain
The result left Bayern in pole position following Saturday's 2-1 home success against TSV Alemannia Aachen. With five games played, Bayern have ten points and lead FC Schalke 04, 2-0 victors at home to bottom-placed VfL Wolfsburg, on goals scored. Hertha BSC Berlin, the frontrunners going into the fifth round of matches, are third on nine points after drawing 1-1 at 1. FSV Mainz 05. Nürnberg and VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach trail Hertha on goal difference.