Bayer Leverkusen sit top of the German Bundesliga - at least overnight - thanks to a 2-0 victory over VfL Wolfsburg in a Friday night game, dpa reported.
Second-half goals from Tranquillo Barnetta and Stefan Kiesling secured the win to move Leverkusen on to 24 points, two clear of Hoffenheim, who can regain top spot by taking three points at home to lowly SC Karlsruhe on Saturday.
"We really deserved this win," said Leverkusen coach Bruno Labbadia. "The team is making progress every day and hopefully will retain the hunger to remain in front."
While Leverkusen were going for a fourth win a row, Wolfsburg were looking for their first away victory of the season so it was no surprise that Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath set out his stall defensively at the BayArena.
Leverkusen dominated possession in the early stages but it took 13 minutes before Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio was tested by a long-distance shot from Michal Kadlec.
Grafite went close at the other end for Wolfsburg while Benaglio thwarted first Patrick Helmes and then Henrique and Simon Rolfes to ensure the contest remained scoreless at the break.
However, Barnetta finally broke the deadlock on 57 minutes, cutting in from the right before firing a low left foot shot past Diego Benaglio in the Wolfsburg goal.
Swiss international Barnetta was also involved in Leverkusen's second goal eight minutes later, sending over a corner that Kiessling headed home from five metres.
Edin Dzeko came closest to pulling one back for the visitors, but his shot in added time came back off a post.
"Leverkusen put in a strong performance," said a gracious Magath.