The hosts made the brighter start to the game at the Borussia Park stadium. In less than a minute after the kick-off Roberto Collauti had a chance to put Borussia 1-0 up but Bayer 04 were saved by the post. Despite a recent run of three games without a win the “Foals” were willing to press forward from the start. But the Werkself were also in the game.

Sascha Dum, who replaced the suspended Arturo Vidal in the starting line-up, made a number of adventurous runs down the left flank and combined with Michael Kadlec to create some pressure. On eight minutes Stefan Kießling received a cross from Dum right on his toes and made for goal. But the Gladbach keeper Christofer Heimeroth was on hand to protect his net.

Luck and ability for Kießling’s first

Bayer became more determined as the game went on but the hosts continued to pose a threat. After 22 minutes René Adler had to be as sharp as mustard when Steve Gohouri threw his leg out at a ball from a free-kick from the middle of the park. But Bayer’ number one skillfully narrowed the angle so that the the Gladbach player could only poke the ball wide.

Leverkusen had more luck at the other end. A rebound landed right at Kießling’s feet on the half-way and the Bayer striker broke clear towards Heimeroth in the Gladbach net and coolly slotted the ball home to put the visitors 1-0 up on 25 minutes. Gladbach made every effort to come up with a reply. But Adler was always on his guard; including a save from a dangerous Rob Friend header from eight yards out that was on its way into the bottom left corner of the Bayer 04 goal.

Cool as a cucumber in front of goal

Almost straight away, Bayer 04 showed how to take chances. Dum sent Kadlec down the left wing and an excellent cross fond Kießling on the six yard box where he only had to stick his foot out to net his eighth goal of the season on 37 minutes. In spite of the 2-0 lead Bayer had to survive a few scares before the half-time whistle was blown. But either Adler was on the spot or one of the men in front of him cleared the lines such as Tranquillo Barnetta who saved a certain goal on 39 minutes.

Bayer went on the offensive in response to the expected Borussia pressure after the restart by trying to press in midfield and push forwards at every opportunity. The outcome was a third goal for Leverkusen. Patrick Helmes picked up the ball in midfield, played a one-two with Kießling and and nutmegged Heimeroth in the Gladbach goal on 54 minutes. That was the Germany strikers 12th goal of the seasoner and the Werkself appeared to be on course for their fifth away win in the Bundesliga this term.

Adler on his guard

But Gladbach came back at Bayer again. And just after the hour mark, Tony Jantschke headed home a Marko Marin free-kick to score a goal on his debut for Borussia just. The home side sensed they might have a chance of getting something out of the game. Over the next 15 minutes Adler was called into action on a number of occasions and was able to frustrate Borussia with excellent positional sense or brilliant reflex saves and protect Bayer’s lead.

Bruno Labbadia’s team came again. The Werkself got back on top of their game in the last few minutes of this Rhine derby to ensure taking all three points. Bayer coach Labbadia was relieved by the end of the match: "Gladbach made it difficult for us and we had to fight our way forward inch by inch. We’re back on track."

After two defeats in a row Bayer 04 are now back in the groove and can finish an impressive first half of the season in at least third spot with a win in the last game of 2008 at home to Energie Cottbus.

Borussia Mönchengladbach: Heimeroth – Levels, Gohouri, Daems, Dorda, Jantschke, Alberman, Paauwe, Marin, Colautti, Friend

Bayer 04: Adler – Castro, Friedrich, Henrique, Kadlec, Rolfes, Barnetta, Renato Augusto, Dum, Helmes, Kießling

Substitutions: Baumjohann for Alberman (46), Bradley for Paauwe (63), Matmour for Friend (82) – Djakpa for Dum (67), Gekas for Helmes (87), Hegeler for Renato Augusto (87)

Goals: 0:1 Kießling (25), 0:2 Kießling (37), 0:3 Helmes (54), 1:3 Jantschke (61)

Bookings: Paauwe, Daems, Baumjohann – Kadlec

Referee: Stark (Ergolding)

Attendance: 44,161