Leverkusen fight back to regain first place

Bayer Leverkusen had to come from behind to beat mid-table Mainz 4-2 yesterday and reclaim the Bundesliga's top spot after Bayern Munich had temporarily taken charge.

Bayern's 2-0 win over Hoffenheim on Friday night had given them a one-point advantage, but Leverkusen hit back from conceding an early goal to Mainz after defender Tim Hoogland put the visitors into an eighth-minute lead.

Leverkusen began the fightback when Czech defender Michal Kadlec netted their first after 15 minutes before Swiss international midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta scored a second just four minutes later to make it 2-1.

Rising star Toni Kroos then volleyed home the third from directly in front of goal on 30 minutes before Mainz pulled back a consolation goal through defender Niko Bungert on 67 minutes.

But Swiss striker Eren Derdiyok made sure Leverkusen go back to the top with their fourth goal on 88 minutes.

The result leaves Leverkusen two points clear at the top of the table, but Schalke have the chance to claim second from Bayern if they can beat second-from-bottom Nuremberg today.

Bottom side Hertha Berlin got their 2010 off to a great start as they enjoyed a 3-0 win at Hanover in what was only their second win since the opening day of the season - when they also beat Hanover, 1-0 at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

Polish midfielder Lukasz Piszczek netted in the 30th minute to get the capital club on the way before Brazil's Raffael made it 2-0 after 33 minutes.

Greek striker Theofanis Gekas then slotted home a third with 10 minutes remaining and it could so easily have been 4-0 but Berlin's Ramos had his late penalty saved.

Berlin are still three points from nearest rivals Nuremberg and eight points from escaping the bottom three, but the win will have boosted their confidence.

Hamburg are third after their 2-0 win at home to Freiburg as Germany midfielder Marcell Jansen and Croatia striker Mladen Petric scored either side of half-time.