Bayer Leverkusen has moved to top spot in the Bundesliga on goal difference. A convincing 4-0 win against visitors Nürnberg have seen the ‘Werkself’ edge past Hamburg who beat a desolate Hertha Berlin 1-3.

Leverkusen got off to a promising start with Toni Kroos, one of the most highly-rated talents in Germany, circling a free-kick around the wall into the top-left corner from 20 meters out with only 2 minutes played. Kroos was again in the middle of things when he was upended in the box in the 28 minute. Captain and Germany international  Simon Rolfes coolly stroked home the ensuing penalty to the joy of the Leverkusen faithful.

Things went from bad to worse for relegation-threatened Nürnberg. Leverkusen fluidly passed the ball a total of 17 times before scoring their third. Forward Stefan Kießling poked the ball to Swiss international Eren Derdiyok who slotted the ball home calmly. With only 34 minutes on the clock the game was already out of reach for Nürnberg, who went down a goal further in the second half to a header by Kießling, taking his season tally to 6 and retaining his position as top-scorer of the Bundesliga.

Title challengers ?

Pundits have begun wondering if this season might see Leverkusen mount a credible title challenge. The outcome is by no means sure – previous seasons Leverkusen have started brightly only to implode after the Christmas break. Over the years Leverkusen have gained the reputation of playing some of the most attractive football of the league alongside Werder Bremen, but have lacked the steel and determination that separates the wheat from the chaff.

New coach Jupp Heynckes – a disciplinarian of the old school, seems to have brought some stability to the side, with new signing Sami Hyypiä from Liverpool marshalling the defence despite his 35 years of age. The results have been five wins and two draws with only 5 goals conceded so far. Heynckes was predictably pleased, commenting “That was outstanding football at times. We are stable and compact at the back. The team is learning to keep a clean sheet. This is very satisfying and gives us confidence for the future.”

While the results have included a draw against Bremen and wins against Hoffenheim and reigning Champions Wolfsburg, big matches against Schalke, Hamburg and Bayern will be a sterner test than Nürnberg.

In other news

The third sacking of the season saw Berlin coach Lucien Favre out of a job, to be replaced by experienced relegation-battler Friedhelm Funkel. However,  Funkel wasn’t able to prevent his team slumping to a 3-1 defeat at home against Hamburg replete with two howlers by unfortunate third-choice goalkeeper Sascha Burchert.

Bayern München suffered a setback to their title-challenge, being held to a 0-0 draw against lowly Köln. Bremen dominated Stuttgart and took home three points, while reigning Champions Wolfsburg stumbled to a draw against Bochum. The upstarts from last season, Hoffenheim, were beaten by Mainz while Schalke, under coach Felix Magath, move up into third place with a 2-0 win over Frankfurt.

Results:

Schalke – Frankfurt 2:0

Bayern München – FC Köln 0:0

Bayer Leverkusen – Nürnberg 4:0

Hannover – Freiburg 5:2

Bochum – Wolfsburg 1:1

Mainz – Hoffenheim 2:1

Gladbach – Dortmund 0:1

Stuttgart – Bremen 0:2

Hertha BSC – Hamburg – 1:3

German article about the Bundesliga