Bundesliga: Hoffenheim 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2

Bayer Leverkusen moved top of the Bundesliga with a 2-1 win over Hoffenheim on Friday, courtesy of a controversial Stefan Kiessling goal.

Sidney Sam had put Sami Hyypia’s side into a first-half lead at the Rhein-Neckar Arena before a Kiessling header ended up in the net via a hole in the side-netting, but referee Felix Brych awarded the goal.

Hoffenheim’s Kevin Volland had a goal controversially ruled out for offside with the game at 1-0, and Roberto Firmino missed a penalty in the closing stages of an action-packed match.

Sven Schipplock pulled a goal back in the closing stages, but Leverkusen held out for the three points.

After a tentative opening, the match was sparked into life in the 26th minute when Sam cut in from the right-hand side and drove a left-footed shot into the corner beyond Koen Casteels.

Hoffenheim thought they had equalised when Anthony Modeste headed across goal and Volland applied the finish.

However, the celebrations were curtailed with Modeste ruled offside, although replays suggested he was well-positioned.

Leverkusen pushed to extend their lead but were largely frustrated by some dogged home defending, until a bizarre incident with 20 minutes remaining.

Kiessling rose highest to head Gonzalo Castro’s header but appeared to put the ball just wide of the goal.

However, the ball crept through a gap in the netting, with Brych seemingly deceived and the goal stood.

Hoffenheim were rightly aggrieved by the incident and pushed hard to find a way back into the game.

And they had the perfect opportunity to come back into the game when they were awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute.

But Firmino’s effort was saved by Bernd Leno before Modeste’s rebound was deflected onto the post.

Hoffenheim did find a consolation with two minutes remaining thanks to Schipplock’s effort, but could not force an equaliser.

The result means Leverkusen sit at the summit of the Bundesliga standings, with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund due to play on Saturday, while Hoffenheim remain 10th.