Second-half scores lift Bayer Leverkusen atop Bundesliga

Oct 31, 2008 - 10:52 PM By PA SportsTicker

Tranquillo Barnetta and Stefan Kiessling did the damage with second-half goals as Bayer Leverkusen continued its impressive run of form with a 2-0 victory over Wolfsburg on Friday, lifting it to the top of the Bundesliga standings.

Bruno Labbadia's men notched up their fourth straight league win with the triumph at the BayArena.

Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath had warned his players before the match they would be facing "one of the top five teams in Germany" on Friday.

And Leverkusen showed its intentions after 13 minutes when only a timely intervention from Wolves goalkeeper Diego Benaglio prevented Michael Kadlec from finding the top right corner with his left-footed shot.

Kiessling was the next to threaten for Leverkusen with an effort from distance which fell wide, while Benaglio was called upon to make another save from Patrick Helmes' low strike on the half-hour mark.

Leverkusen continued to put pressure on Wolfsburg's defense and Henrique's header was turned away by Benaglio as the interval approached.

And Kiessling provided the first chance of the second half with a drilled effort from a tight angle, which fell just past the right post.

It had been all Leverkusen so far and it was no surprise when the club finally broke the deadlock after 57 minutes. Gonzalo Castro provided the assist for Barnetta to smash a 30-yard strike into the bottom right corner.

The hosts added a second eight minutes later when Barnetta turned provider for Kiessling to head from from close range.

Wolfsburg produced its first real chance soon after, but Marcel Schafer's effort was just off target, while Edin Dzeko also tried to get the visitors on the scoresheet after 84 minutes with a header, which dropped inches past the left post.

In the end, it was a comfortable win for Leverkusen, though, and it could have added a third tally in the waning minutes, but Kadlec's drive from distance flashed wide of the mark.