Gifted Guerrero punishes Leverkusen

By Mark Bennett

Peruvian international Paolo Guerrero inspired FC Bayern München to a 2-0 win over Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Hand in opener
The 20-year-old striker had a hand in Bayern's first goal in added time at the end of the first half, when he was brought down by Jens Nowotny to win a penalty that Roy Makaay converted. Guerrero then sealed Bayern's win with the second goal midway through the second period.

Schalke held
Second-placed FC Schalke 04 had Ailton to thank after snatching a 2-2 draw at FC Hansa Rostock. Schalke took the lead on 25 minutes through Ebbe Sand but Hansa, with Jari Litmanen impressing on his debut, fought back after the break. Substitute Rade Prica equalised on 66 minutes and seven minutes later Magnus Arvidsson made it 2-1.

Ailton to the rescue
Deep into added time, however, Ailton popped up to rescue Schalke a point and deny Rostock their first home win of the season. Today's results leave Schalke three points behind Bayern, with Leverkusen dropping to fifth and Rostock now 17th.

Stuttgart held
Third-placed VfB Stuttgart remain three points behind Schalke after being held to a 1-1 draw by ten-man 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Kevin Kuranyi gave Stuttgart the lead on 15 minutes, but despite losing Lucien Mettomo to a red card, Kaiserslautern claimed a point when Marco Engelhardt fired in a free-kick on the hour.

Bastürk strikes
Hertha BSC Berlin moved up to fourth place thanks to two goals from Yildiray Bastück in a 3-0 win at 1. FSV Mainz 05. Andreas Neuendorf was the other scorer. Naohiro Takahara, meanwhile, got two goals of his own as Hamburger SV won 3-1 at 1. FC Nürnberg, and Lars Ricken did the same for BV Borussia Dortmund in their 3-1 win at Hannover 96. It finished 1-1 between VfL Bochum 1848 and DSC Arminia Bielefeld in the day's other game.