Bayer Leverkusen inflicted newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich the third defeat of the season while Hannover came from behind to share the spoils with second-placed VFL Wolfsburg at the 31st round of German Bundesliga.
After wrapping up the 25th Bundesliga title last week, injury-hit Bayern Munich suffered their third loss of the season against a dominant Leverkusen side who earned their 16th win of season thanks to the goals by Hakan Calhanoglu and youngster Julian Brandt on Saturday, reports Xinhua.
Leverkusen shocked the German giants at the 55th minute when Hakan Calhanoglu curled home a free-kick, over the wall into the top left corner, giving Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer no chance.
With the 0-1 deficit the "Bavarians" increased the pressure but Mario Goetze squandered another chance from a promising position. As a consequence, Leverkusen punished Bayern's poor chance conversion when youngster and substitute Julian Brandt hammered home a solo run by Karim Bellarabi to make the game safe at the 81st minute.
Bayern remain atop the standings with a 14-point advantage while Leverkusen climbed to the third place.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Wolfsburg squandered a two-goal lead against Hannover to record their eighth draw of the season. Hannover avoided their third straight loss but for all that they slipped into the relegation zone as they still wait for their first win in 2015.
With the result, Wolfsburg remain in the second place while Hannover slumped to the 16th place, a relegation play-off spot.
Schalke FC returned to winning ways as they overpowered relegation threatened Stuttgart 3-2 thanks to the brace by Klaas Jan Huntelaar.
German Cup finalists Borussia Dortmund were held to a 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim. Kevin Volland opened the scoring for the hosts before Mats Hummels equalised the scores through a header.
Werder Bremen defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0.
--Indo-Asian News Servvice
sam/vt
