Bundesliga: Lewandowski unstoppable, Gladbach win again

Mainz 0-3 Bayern
(Lewandowski 51', 64', Coman 69')

Mainz executed a near-perfect first-half display. Defensively solid with two men constantly marking Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller missing a penalty after a slip in the run-up, the home side could only be happy with a goalless scoreline at the interval. They might have even had a goal themselves had Yoshino Muto not drilled a glorious chance wide. It was the kind of opportunity that most sides who play Bayern have to score to stand a chance, regardless of the tactical set-up. Six minutes into the second period, and that much was clear. Lewandowski found space for the first time of the game and leapt to head cutely past an outstretched Loris Karius - his 100th Bundesliga goal in just 168 matches.

He added a second - not quite as quickly as he had on Tuesday night, when Arturo Vidal slipped the Pole through, albeit with a hint of offside about the move. Douglas Costa's cross was finished off - assist number 10 this season - by someone other than Lewandowski, when the quietly impressive Kingsley Coman had the simple task of tucking away at the back post. There was no need for anyone to come off the bench and save this game for Bayern.

Stuttgart 1-3 Gladbach
(Ginczek 41' pen. - Xhaka 16', Gentner o.g. 20', Raffael 90')

If in doubt, turn provider. Gladbach's Raffael made it four assists in two games when his free kick was headed in across goal by an unmarked Granit Xhaka. Less than five minutes later, and Stuttgart captain Christian Genter's attempted clearance ended up in the back of his own net. Stuttgart was reeling and Raffael should have made it 3-0 with the third chance of the game, but his effort was off target. Gladbach looked comfortable, but when Daniel Ginczek scored a penalty - his first goal since his brace on matchday two - just before the break, the momentum swung back in favor of the home team.

Once again, Alexander Zorniger's team was playing well but just not showing it on the scoreboard. The more time that passed, the more desperate Gladbach got. Stuttgart was throwing everything at the Foals. Alexandru Maxim fired over from close-range as Gladbach dropped deeper and deeper into their defensive ranks. Timo Werner flicked narrowly over form a corner and then Yann Sommer saved well to deny Maxim. The ball just didn't want to go in and when Raffael scored on the break in injury-time, the contest was over. Zorniger's men finished with 22 shots and 12 corners to their name, but had to watch the visitors leave with all three points - their second win in as many games.

Wolfsburg 1-1 Hannover
(Dost 40' - Kiyotake 58')

Hannover's poor start to the season might have something to do with Hiroshi Kiyotake's absence. The Japanese attacker, only available from matchday four onwards due to injury, showed his worth in Wolfsburg with a goal that earned them a much-needed point. A lapse in concentration saw Artur Sobiech miss the chance to take the lead and then had the visitors concede when an unchallenged Daniel Caligiuri crossed for an unmarked Bas Dost to head past Ron-Robert Zieler. Hannover continued to keep Wolfsburg at bay and Kiyotake's equalizer was worthy of winning a point. Under pressure, he controlled on his chest and volleyed the ball in off the bar all in one movement. Maxi Arnold fired narrowly wide at the death, but Wolfsburg flattered to deceive and deserved no more than they got. For Hannover, it was a point that might well have kept head coach Michael Frontzeck in the job a little bit longer.

Leverkusen comfortable, Hoffenheim needed

All the hope from the second half of the season around Werder Bremen is beginning to ebb away, even with the return of club legend Claudio Pizarro. Despite keeping Leverkusen at bay for most of the first half, Anthony Ujah's effort off the post was the closest they got at the other end. Admir Mehemdi's shot took a heavy deflection off Lukimya to put Leverkusen ahead with their first chance of the game and when Julian Brandt - in the absence of Hakan Calhanoglu (on the bench) - curled in a gorgeous free kick on the edge of the area, the game was done. Substitute Kevin Kampl curled in a third to add some gloss and to make sure Werder reasses their season plans.

Augsburg might have been the better team, but they were not the more efficient. Neat feet and a near-post drive from Kevin Volland meant that Hoffenheim's first shot in the game also brought their first goal. The home side could only response with efforts from Alexander Esswein and Halil Altintop but neither could avoid Oliver Baumann or the woodwork. The Hoffenheim goalkeeper gifted them an equalizer when he attempted to save a cross with his feet, effectively assisting Ja-Cheol Koo to head home, and for a while it looked like Markus Weinzierl's side might go on and win it. But when Volland made it two for both him and his team, Augsburg knew it wasn't to be there day. They kept pushing but, much like Stuttgart, paid the price for poor composure. 26 shots and 67 percent possession amounted to nothing even before Volland completed a superb individual day assisting Jonathan Schmid for the third.

Bundesliga Matchday 7 Results:

Cologne 1-1 Ingolstadt (Friday)

Wolfsburg 1-1 Hannover

Stuttgart 1-3 Borussia Mönchengladbach

Augsburg 1-3 Hoffenheim

Werder Bremen 0-3 Bayer Leverkusen

Mainz 0-3 Bayern Munich

Hamburg 0-0 Schalke (Saturday late)