Bayer Leverkusen vs. Hamburg: Final score 3-0, Kießling scores twice on way to victory

Bayer Leverkusen smashed Hamburg SV 3-0 to finish 2012 on a high note. The win pulls them within nine points of leaders Bayern Munich.

The hosts were out quickly testing Rene Adler after only three minutes, but Andre Schürrle's shot struck the post before deflecting wide. They were content to give Hamburg the majority of possession and hit them on the counter with their dangerous 4-3-3 lineup. The were on the board in the 21st minute thanks to, who else, Stefan Kießling. Gonzalo Castro deflected a cross and split the two centerbacks allowing Kießling to step in and shoot past Adler for the 1-0 lead.

Hamburg nearly equalized on the restart. His header on a cross from Dennis Diekmeier beat Bernd Leno, but it hit the post before going wide.

Kießling turned provider in the 36th minute to give Leverkusen the 2-0 lead. He received the ball on top of the penalty area and faked a shot forcing the defender to turn his back. Schürrle was streaking in from the left side, and Kießling fed him the ball. He took a touch to get around Michael Mancienne before hitting the side netting and leaving Adler no chance.

Schürrle almost notched a fantastic goal on a volley from a cross by Castro. Adler was beaten, but the ball deflected off the crossbar again. Kießling made it 3-0 in the 66th minute with a beautiful chip over Adler. The goal was Kießling's second on the day and his league leading twelfth of the season.

Thorsten Fink will be disappointed with his side's performance in the match, specifically the poor play from Mancienne and fellow centerback Heiko Westermann. The two have formed a formidable partnership this season but weren't up to the task today.