Bayern Munich back on winning track
Erik Kirschbaum, Reuters, Berlin, Germany
Bayern Munich destroyed Hamburg SV 3-0 on Saturday to pick up their second easy win in two weeks and move into third place in the Bundesliga while promoted VfL Bochum extended their unbeaten run to stay top.
Bochum, the surprise of the season so far, demolished Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 to pick up their third convincing victory in three matches this season, sending last season's runner-up down to 13th place in the process with two points in three matches.
Bayern Munich was led by Claudio Pizarro, who scored twice in front of a Hamburg crowd of 55,500 to help the 2001 European champions tune up for the second leg of its Champions League qualifier in Munich against Partizan Belgrade on Tuesday.
Alexander Zickler added a goal in the 90th minute for Bayern Munich, who beat Partizan Belgrade in the away leg of the qualifier in Belgrade 3-0.
Bayern, who had won three straight Bundesliga crowns before slumping to third last season, opened their wallets to sign some of the league's top talent, including Michael Ballack, in a bid to reclaim the Bundesliga crown.
"I'm delighted we were able to pick up our first away victory this season," said Bayern trainer Ottmar Hitzfeld, whose team opened the campaign with a disappointing 0-0 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach before beating Arminia Bielefeld 6-2 last week.
Bochum, which was promoted after a strong finish in the second division, overwhelmed Leverkusen even though the home side had taken a 1-0 lead with a goal from Jan Simak in the 10th minute.
Bochum's Thordur Gudjonsson equalized three minutes later, Dariusz Wosz put Bochum ahead in the 33rd minute and Frank Fahrenhorst made it 3-1 in the 43rd minute.
Bochum's Thomas Christiansen scored his sixth goal of the season on the hour to extend his lead in the Bundesliga goal scoring table before Leverkusen's Franca made it 4-2 in the 75th.
Leverkusen trainer Klaus Toppmoeller, who had said his team urgently needed the win after two draws this season, said his side's performance was appalling.
Stefan Effenberg was not able to help VfL Wolfsburg in his first match with the team after the surprise return to the Bundesliga of the former Bayern Munich captain.
Wolfsburg lost 1-0 to Arminia Bielefeld, although a goal Effenberg created was ruled out by a controversial offside call. "It was quite clearly a goal," said Effenberg.
In British Premier League, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger praised his players' resilience after they fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at West Ham United on Saturday and extended their unbeaten run to 23 matches.
"It was a tough game because we faced a West Ham team who wanted to rub out the disillusionment of Monday (when they lost 4-0 to Newcastle)," Wenger told Sky Sports TV.
Sylvain Wiltord sealed a point for last season's double winners with a goal two minutes from time after Thierry Henry had halved the deficit and West Ham striker Frederic Kanoute saw his tame penalty saved by David Seaman.
West Ham went ahead at Upton Park through Joe Cole's first- time shot just before halftime. Kanoute doubled the lead early in the second half but his 76th minute penalty miss proved the turning point according to Hammers boss Glenn Roeder.
"Had we got 3-1 ahead we would have definitely taken the points," he said.
Leeds United is the early premier league leaders after a 3-1 win at West Bromwich Albion, its second successive victory under Terry Venables.
Leeds are level on six points with Liverpool after the Merseyside club beat Southampton 3-0 at Anfield.
Everton rode its luck to win 1-0 at Sunderland, who hit the woodwork three times and also missed a penalty.
Premier league newcomer Birmingham City is still waiting for its first points and goals after a 1-0 home defeat by Blackburn Rovers.