Bayern hit four to get back on top

FC Bayern München returned to the top of the Bundesliga standings after an impressive victory away at Karlsruher SC while Bayer 04 Leverkusen also registered a victory on the road.

Bayern top
Bayern, who were only able to get a 1-0 advantage from the first leg of their UEFA Cup first round encounter against CF Os Belenenses in Munich on Thursday, were in far more emphatic form in Karlsruhe as they continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 4-1 win to move two points clear of BSC Hertha Berlin at the top of the table. Luca Toni gave them the edge with just five minutes on the clock and they moved into control after further efforts by Miroslav Klose (21) and Hamit Altintop (50). Karlsruhe gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Massimiliano Porcello pulled one back three minutes later but the result was put beyond doubt 15 minutes from time by Zé Roberto.

Hannover helpless
Leverkusen are just three points behind Bayern in third after they won 3-0 against Hannover 96. Another side playing after midweek victory in the UEFA Cup, they were made to wait until five minutes into the second half before they broke the deadlock against their stubborn opponents. Once Stefan Kiessling got the breakthrough they built on the lead with goals by Arturo Vidal (68) and a Theofanis Gekas penalty (74) for a result that was their fourth victory in five games in all competitions.