Mainz regained Bundesliga top position on Sunday after they defeated Leverkusen with a neat 1-0 while Dortmund lost their leadership after a hard earned 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim.
Mainz defeated Leverkusen 1-0 thanks to substitutes Andre Schuerrle and Andreas Ivanschitz who were fielded just minutes before the decider. Schuerrle assisted Ivanschitz for the winner in the 70th minute to heave Mainz atop the standings of the German Bundesliga with 24 points. Leverkusen was only able to hold the pace until the 25th minute then Mainz dominated the match.
Leverkusen dropped by two positions in the standings to slip to the 5th.
Dortmund suffered a deficit against Hoffenheim with only eight minutes into the match. Striker Demba Ba netted the opener at the back post after an assist by midfielder Luiz Gustavo.
Dortmund had the opportunity to level the score only six minutes later. Referee Wolfgang Stark awarded Dortmund a penalty after a handball by Hoffenheim defender Issac Vorsah. Midfielder Nuri Sahin converted the penalty from the spot but referee Stark was not happy with the execution consequently Sahin had to repeat the penalty.
On this occasion Hoffenheim goalkeeper Tom Starke parried the ball to stun Dortmund.
It looked like Hoffenheim could take these three points home but Dortmund pressed franatically for the equalizer.
Finally at the 93rd minute Dortmund obtained a free kick from 20 meters. Dortmund midfielder joker Antonio da Silva who was fielded at the 74th minute utilized the opportunity to slot a dead ball goal into the top right of Hoffenheims goal.
Hoffenheim ensured another highlight when midfielder Sejad Salihovic booked his second yellow card after the final whistle for permanent grumble. However, Dortmund slipped to second position with 22 points and a two-point gap to leader Mainz meanwhile Hoffenheim remains on fourth position with 14 points.
Struggling powerhouse Stuttgart left the Bundesliga basement with a deserved 2-0 defeat over promoted St. Pauli. Defender Georg Niedermeier and midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic sealed the victory for Stuttgart to jump from 18th to 14th position meanwhile St. Pauli slipped from 6th to 10th position.