Bayern seize upon Schalke slip

FC Schalke 04 surrendered a two-goal lead late on at VfL Bochum 1848 to miss out on the chance of topping the Bundesliga, allowing FC Bayern München to take first place with a 3-2 win against Werder Bremen.

Robben clincher
Bayern, however, had to come from behind to record their eighth successive win in all competitions. Aaron Hunt (10) put Bremen in front but Thomas Müller (25) and Ivica Olić (35) gave the UEFA Champions League contenders the lead before half-time. Hugo Almeida levelled with 15 minutes left, but Arjen Robben (78) gave Louis van Gaal's charges the ascendancy once more with his fifth league goal of the campaign.

Late leveller
It was Schalke, though, who looked poised to go top as they set upon extending their run of league victories to five in the fifth minute, Vicente Sánchez putting the Gelsenkirchen club in front. Kevin Kuranyi then took his tally for the season into double figures three minutes before half-time to give Felix Magath's side a two-goal cushion. Substitute Vahid Hashemian halved that advantage with eight minutes left, however, before Stanislav Šesták struck two minutes into added time, leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen needing a point at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Sunday to reclaim top spot.

Early winner
BV Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, are fourth after beating Hamburger SV, Nelson Valdez (36) scoring the only goal. Elsewhere, Eintracht Frankfurt are seventh after being held 1-1 at struggling 1. FC Nürnberg, while 1. FSV Mainz 05 are one place lower having beaten Hannover 96 1-0 courtesy of Andre Schürrle's fourth-minute goal. Bottom-placed Hertha BSC Berlin, meanwhile, are a point closer to safety following a goalless home draw with VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach. VfB Stuttgart pulled further clear of trouble with a 1-0 triumph over SC Freiburg on Friday.