体坛英语新闻：Bayern hold pace with front-runners Dortmund in German Bundesliga

BERLIN, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- German giants Bayern Munich reaped a hard earned 2-0 over Nuremberg thanks to Ribery and Robben, meanwhile Leverkusen down Monchengladbach in a goal festival on Saturday.

The Bavarians keep their perfect start with three consecutive wins as Nuremberg were unable to keep the hosts on distance for more than one half.

As expected, Bayern took reins with the opening whistle whilst Nuremberg kept their team behind the ball to chance it on counter attacks. However, it were the visitors that fired off a warning shot when Daniel Ginczek hit the bar with a long range effort, fifteen minutes into the game.

Bayern dominated the ball and the visitors but yet they were incapable to turn their possession into a tangible reward. With 33 minutes on the clock the record champions had the chance to open the scoring from the penalty spot as Per Nilson brought down Arjen Robben inside the box.

Nevertheless, David Alaba were unable to score the opener as Nuremberg keeper Raphael Schaefer denied the penalty into the bottom right.

The hosts increased the pressure at the second half to overcome Nuremberg' s bulwark at the 69th minute when Franck Ribery headed home a cross by Philipp Lahm at the far post. The visitors were incapable to put up some resistance as Arjen Robben's solo run and goal made the game safe at the 78th minute.

Leverkusen extend their 100% start as they defeated Monchengladbach 4-2 in an entertaining match. Both teams staged a slow start but the handball penalty for Leverkusen stimulated the action on the pitch as Stefan Kieling scored his 100th goal for Leverkusen at the 23rd minute.

The "Werkself" made use of their momentum to double the lead five minutes later when Sidney Sam slotted home into the open goal thanks to the build up by Kieling.

Unlike in the first half Leverkusen seemed content with the 2-0 lead and handed over the reins to Monchengladbach that reduced the lead. Martin Stanzl utilized the build up by Patrick Herrmann in the box to make it 2-1 at the 54th minute. Only three minutes later Monchengladbach' s Juan Arango restored parity to shock the hosts when he capitalized on a fumble by Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Despite the comeback by the "Foals" Leverkusen responded at the 61st minute when Sidney Sam wrapped up his brace with a low shot from twenty meters to make it 3-2 on the scoreboards. Leverkusen were not done with the scoring as Gonzalo Castro hammered home the final 4-2 score into the top right corner at the 72nd minute.

Elsewhere, Szabolcs Huszti and Mame Biram Diouf scored the goals at Hannovers 2-1 win to inflict Schalke the second loss at the third match.

The "Royal Blues" had to play with ten men most of the time as Benedikt Hoewedes saw the red card at the 14th minute owing to a professional foul. Also Hannover had to finish the match with ten men as Huszti was sent off with a straight red card due to a rude foul.

Hoffenheim and Freiburg staged a see saw match with six goals, three dismissals and many scoring chances to share points after a dramatic 3-3 draw.

Mainz maintain their unbeaten streak thanks to the goals by Eric Maxim Choupo Moting and Nicolai Mueller against Wolfsburg and Berlin ensured the best Bundesliga start with a 1-0 win over struggling Hamburg thanks to the winner by Adrian Ramos.

The following matches are set for Sunday: newly promoted Braunschweig see Frankfurt and Augsburg host Stuttgart.