Leverkusen, Germany - Stefan Kiessling bagged a hat-trick as Bayer Leverkusen cruised to a 4-0 win over VfB Stuttgart Sunday to open a three-point lead at the top of the German Bundesliga. Leading league scorer Kiessling took his tally to the season to 12 from 14 games as unbeaten Leverkusen, who had lost the top spot to Werder Bremen Saturday, moved clear on 30 points.
Stuttgart, who remain second last, six points clear of bottom side Hertha Berlin, began brightly but confidence appeared to drain after Kiessling opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.
Jens Lehmann in goal had no chance as Kiessling volleyed in from close range after Sami Hyypia headed on a Toni Kroos free-kick.
Kroos was close to a second with a shot against the post before the midfielder found Ereb Derdiyok who ran into the area to head past Lehmann in the 38th minute.
Kroos was again the creator for Leverkusen's third close to the hour, playing a one-two with Stefan Reinartz in the centre circle before evading two tackles and teeing up Kiessling who rifled the ball past Lehmann.
Kiessling completed the scoring three minutes from time by sending Lehmann the wrong way from the penalty spot after the keeper had brought down Derdiyok with a rash challenge.
Werder Bremen, who scraped a late 2-2 draw at home to champions VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday, have 27 points, while Schalke, who lost 1-0 at Borussia Moenchengladbach, are third on 25.
Bayern Munich have the chance to move fourth in the day's later game at Hanover.
