体坛英语新闻：Bayer Leverkusen recaptures Bundesliga top position

BERLIN, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Powerhouse Bayer Leverkusen defeated new boys Mainz 4-2 in a thrilling match to regain first position of Bundesliga on Saturday.

    The 4th positioned Hamburg won 2-0 against Freiburg, while powerhouse Werder Bremen lost astonishing 1-0 to Frankfurt. Defending champion Wolfsburg suffered a 3-1 defeat against struggling Stuttgart. Hannover lost 3-0 against Hertha Berlin and Borussia Moenchengladbach lost 1-2 to Bochum.

    New boys Mainz started highly motivated against best home team Bayer Leverkusen at "BayArena". Mainz opened the scoring with 8 minutes on the clock. Defender Tim Hoogland shot right footed from very close range to the bottom right corner.

    Leverkusen turned up and levelled only 7 minutes later. Defender Michael Kadlec headed home a corner from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Leverkusen then added the second at the 19th minute. Midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta slotted home from the right side of the box to the high centre of the goal.

    With 30 minutes played Leverkusen picked up where they left off. Bayer youngster midfielder Toni Kroos tripled the lead with awell-placed volley shot from 13 meters into bottom left corner.

    After the break new boys Mainz started self-confident and was rewarded at the 67th minute. Defender Niko Bungert hammered the ball from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Two minutes later Leverkusen striker Eren Derdiyok had the opportunity to extend the lead, but he hit the left post.

    In the dying minutes of the game Leverkusen striker Eren Derdiyok slotted home from 11 meters right footed after midfielder Renato Augusto assisted.

    Bayer Leverkusen moved on top of Bundesliga with 38 points and a two-point gap to chaser Bayern Munich. Mainz slipped from 9th to10th position.

    Frankfurt surprisingly defeated Bremen 1-0. Both teams failed to score within the first half. Bremen's offensive actions remained harmless, while Frankfurt defended deep.

    At the 57th minute Frankfurt scored the decider. Defender MarcoRuss marked the only goal from close range after Bremen defence failed to clear the ball.

    Bremen remains on 6th position while Frankfurt jumped from 10thto 7th position.

    Elsewhere, Hannover suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat against bottom team Berlin. Borussia Moenchengladbach lost 1-2 against Bochum.

    On Sunday Schalke hosts Nuernberg and Cologne against Dortmund.