Bayer Leverkusen went second in the Bundesliga table yesterday with a 4-2 win at home to strugglers VfB Stuttgart that dropped their guests further into the relegation battle.

With bottom side Moenchengladbach beating Schalke, only five points now separate the bottom five clubs and Stuttgart, the 2007 German champions, are level on 19 points with ‘Gladbach at the foot of the table.

Stuttgart fought in vain as they came from behind twice before Leverkusen’s Stefan Reinartz headed the winning goal on 81 minutes then Stefan Kiessling netted his second of the game in added time.

The win leaves Leverkusen 10 points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund and knocks defending champions Bayern Munich down to third in the table.

Ex-Germany captain Michael Ballack came off the bench for Leverkusen with 25 minutes remaining as he works his way back to fitness from a knee injury.

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