Birthday-boy Arjen Robben netted the decisive goal in this weekend’s top Bundesliga match between Bremen and Bayern Munich. The free-kick, taken from some 20 meters on the far right of the penalty box was whipped in - passing friend and foe in the box - and dipped in time to stroke the underside of the bar and land in the top corner.

picture alliance / Sven Simon

The Bayern winger threw his hands up in celebration and sprinted to the dug-out where Bayern coach Louis van Gaal was involuntarily lying on his back after loosing his footing in celebration. A pile-up ensued and van Gaal was left sucking an injured finger. Not that he minded – Bayern dominated the game, created chances at will and played some mouth-wateringly good football.

The Bundesliga goes into hibernation as the winter break is upon us. Time to take a look back at the first half of the season.

Bayer Leverkusen have won the Pyrrhic “Herbstmeister” (Autumn Champions) -title. Vizekusen, as the club is derogatorily referred to (akin to Michael Ballack’s record of coming second best), will hope that they can replicate their form of the first part of the season in the new year. There are good reasons to believe that they can: a coach that has instilled real belief in the team and returning players from injury (Renato Augusto, Simon Rolfes, Patrick Helmes) will further boost the quality of the squad.

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.