Werder Bremen 0 - 2 Bayer Leverkusen

Werder Bremen 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen

Updated: October 28, 2008, 9:41 PM UK

BREMEN, October 28 (Bundesliga) - Bayer Leverkusen took over top spot in the Bundesliga on Tuesday night with a 2-0 win over Werder Bremen, who are now without a win in four games.

Arturo Vidal struck in the 71st minute and Manuel Friedrich made sure of the points in the 80th minute.

However, it was not a dominant performance from the visitors, who were second best in the first half.

Bremen came into the game missing several key players including goalkeeper Tim Wiese, playmaker Diego, striker Claudio Pizarro and Clemens Fritz, but they still managed to create the first good chance of the game as Leverkusen goalkeeper Rene Adler stretched to keep out Hugo Almeida's free-kick.

Almeida had another fine chance in the 12th minute but fired just wide as the angle tightened.

Leverkusen were limited to a Michal Kadlec free-kick that went just past the post as the hosts were in control.

Almeida went close again early in the second half with Kadlec doing well to block the shot.

Leverkusen then came back into the game and Stefan Kiessling was inches off target following Vidal's pass in the 53rd minute.

The visitors then got the opener with 19 minutes left. Gonzalo Castro's long cross from the right wing found Patrick Helmes, whose header went beyond the reach of Bremen goalkeeper Christian Vander to fall at the feet of Vidal who slotted home.

Leverkusen doubled the advantage just nine minutes later. Simon Rolfes' close-range shot struck the post but the ball fell back to Friedrich, who fired past Vander from seven yards.

Leverkusen have now won three successive games and five of their last six to move two points clear of Hoffenheim, who play Bochum on Wednesday.

Bremen are still 10th in the league with 13 points.