Leverkusen and Bremen hit their straps

Bayer 04 Leverkusen jumped up to fourth in the Bundesliga, nine points behind leaders FC Bayern München, after seeing off Fortuna Düsseldorf 1895 3-2, while Aaron Hunt scored twice as SV Werder Bremen defeated 1. FSV Mainz 05.

With confidence sky high after inflicting a first defeat of the season on previously perfect Bayern last weekend, Leverkusen were swift to take the lead at the BayArena as Sidney Sam chipped in the opener on 16 minutes. Nando Rafael pulled Düsseldorf level five minutes before the break, but the hosts restored their lead just 71 seconds later as André Schürrle tapped in.

Sascha Lewandowski's side were reduced to ten men when Simon Rolfes was shown red after the interval, but that did not prevent them extending their lead through Gonzalo Castro. Adam Bodzek pulled one back late on, yet the visitors could not stop Leverkusen taking the three points to extend their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga to seven games.

Meanwhile, Bremen leapt above Mainz in the table courtesy of a fine double from Hunt. The midfielder's powerful strike ten minutes in gave the hosts the lead, before Ádám Szalai’s header levelled the scores after the break. Bremen captain Hunt then had the final say when he curled a free-kick past Christian Wetklo with five minutes remaining to send his side up to seventh.