Vidal helps Leverkusen past Hannover

Bayer 04 Leverkusen strengthened their grip on second place in Germany with a 2-0 home win against the side ranked third, Hannover 96, in Friday's Bundesliga fixture.

Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal powered in a stunning 21st-minute opener; the 23-year-old had his back to goal when he received a ball from Stefan Kiessling but swivelled to volley past Ron-Robert Zieler. It was his ninth league goal of the season. The second goal was not bad either, Gonzalo Castro laying the ball on for Simon Rolfes to fire through Zieler's legs.

Leverkusen are now five points clear of Hannover, but eight adrift of league leaders Borussia Dortmund, who also have a game in hand.