Bundesliga wrap: Leverkusen climb

Bayer Leverkusen held on for a 3-2 win against Fortuna Duesseldorf at BayArena to move into the Bundesliga top four on Sunday.

Sidney Sam delivered the opener 16 minutes in for hosts Leverkusen but Nando Rafael equalised from a corner in the 40th minute with a deflected header.

Andre Schurrle replied in the next minute with a powerful strike from range to give Leverkusen a 2-1 lead at half-time.

Leverkusen captain Simon Rolfes was sent off for a challenge on Adam Bodzek in the 65th minute to give Duesseldorf a chance to assert their authority on the contest.

But Leverkusen’s fortunes changed a minute later when Daniel Caravajal recovered a blocked shot and raced down the pitch to deliver a cross to Gonzalo Castro, who tapped into an empty net.

Adam Bodnek converted a long strike with four minutes remaining to give Duesseldorf hope but substitute Gerrit Wegkamp missed his chance in injury time to tie proceedings.

In Sunday’s other match, two goals from Werder Bremen midfielder Aaron Hunt led his side to a 2-1 win over Mainz 05 at Weserstadion.

Hunt’s first came from an assist from Nils Petersen for the only goal of the opening 45 minutes.

Adam Szalai equalised in the 64th minute but Hunt’s second with five minutes remaining clinched the win for Werder.