Bayer Leverkusen came from behind to beat mid-table Mainz 4-2 and recapture the top spot after Bayern Munich temporarily took charge on Friday night. Leverkusen conceded an early goal when Mainz defender Tim Hoogland put his side into an early lead. But goals from Czech defender Michal Kadlec, Toni Kroos and Eren Derdiyok earned the Leverkusen three valuable points.

The result leaves Leverkusen two points clear, but Schalke have the chance to claim second spot if they can beat lowly Nuremberg on Sunday.

VfB Stuttgart chalked up their first Bundesliga win since September with a 3-1 win over defending Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg to maintain their unbeaten record under newly-appointed coach Christian Gross.

"I am very pleased about the three points. We had a young goalkeeper and a new defensive formation," said Gross who replaced Markus Babbel in December.

With ex-Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann serving a three-match ban, 21-year-old Sven Ulreich guarded Stuttgart's goal.

This was Stuttgart's first win in 11 games and goals by Robert Hilbert and Pavel Pogrebnyak put the home side 2-0 up before Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko pulled a goal back on 58 minutes. Timo Gebhart sealed the victory with an 87th-minute goal.

Berlin finally wins

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 of the season. Their first was also against Hanover on August 8 when the 2009/2010 Bundesliga season kicked off.

Hamburg are third in the standings after their 2-0 win at home to Freiburg. Marcell Hansen scored an early goal for the northern club and then Croatian international Mladen Petric got the winner shortly after the interval.

Werder Bremen drop down to sixth place after their 1-0 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt - their fourth straight league defeat.

Borussia Moenchengladbach were defeated 2-1 by Bochum. Stanislav Sestak got Werder's opening goal followed by another by Zlatko Dedic. Fabian Becker pulled back one for home side but despite a spirited recovery they failed to score the equalizer.

On Friday, Bayern Munich challenged for the leadership of the German Bundesliga, climbing to the top of the standings after beating Hoffenheim 2-0. The goals were scored by Martin Demichelis and substitute Miroslav Klose.

"The start to the second half of the season is challenging, but we want to extend our good run," said Klose.

nrt/dpa/AFP/Reuters

Editor: Andy Valvur