Bayern Munich flying but Leverkusen crash again

Bayern Munich fought back from losing an early goal against Bayer Leverkusen to win 3-1 and open a two-point gap at the top of the standings yesterday.The reigning champions Bayern are top on nine points as Corentin Tolisso, Arjen Robben and James Rodriguez overturned Wendell’s penalty to send 10-man Leverkusen bottom.Wolfsburg and Hertha Berlin both scored in injury-time in a frantic 2-2 draw to join second-placed Borussia Dortmund on seven after they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 on Friday.RB Leipzig and Fortuna Dusseldorf claimed first wins 3-2 over Hanover and 2-1 over Hoffenheim while Mainz scored twice late on to stun Augsburg 2-1. Borussia Moenchengladbach beat pointless Schalke 2-1 in the late game.Leverkusen were handed a stroke of fortune inside two minutes in Munich when Thiago blocked a cross onto his arm and referee Tobias Welz pointed to the spot even after reviewing the incident on video.Manuel Neuer saved Kevin Volland’s penalty and superbly recovered to block the rebound but encroachment from Bayern spared the forward’s blushes and Wendell made no mistake with the retake.Bayern soon responded and Tolisso poked home a 10th minute equalizer at the second attempt, though he later went off with an apparent knee injury.An error from Jonathan Tah was pounced upon by Robben in the 19th and the Dutch winger took a touch before dispatching a volley beyond goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky on his league debut for Leverkusen after a summer move from Frankfurt.Robben curled wide when he could have doubled the lead but Leverkusen could not threaten an equaliser and their hopes were ended when Karim Bellarabi was red carded for a challenge on Rafinha late on.James capped the win with a header in the last minute and condemn miserable Leverkusen to a third successive defeat.Wolfsburg and Hertha are unbeaten surprise packages so far though neither created much in a tight first half.Gladbach share fourth with the Berliners having struck early against Schalke through Matthias Ginter and late with Patrick Herrmann.Breel Embolo’s brilliant consolation couldn’t save Schalke, last season’s runners-up, from a third consecutive defeat.RESULTS Bayern Munich 3 (Tolisso 10, Robben 20, James) Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Wendell 6-pen) RB Leipzig 3 (Poulsen 10, Werner 40, 63) Hanover 2 (Fuellkrug 13, Albornoz 65) Mainz 2 (Ujah 87, Maxim 90+3) Augsburg 1 (Ji 82) Wolfsburg 2 (Malli 87-pen, Mehmedi 90+3) Hertha Berlin 2 (Dilrosun 61, Duda 90+2) Fortuna Duesseldorf 2 (Morales 45, Lukebakio 88-pen) Hoffenheim 1 (Nelson 86) Borussia Moenchengladbach 2 (Ginter 3, Herrmann 76) Schalke 1 (Embolo 90+3)