Bayern Munich returned to what they and their fans agree is their rightful place in the Bundesliga’s pecking order on Saturday, beating Schalke in Gelsenkirchen 2-0 to go top of the table, albeit only on goal difference.

The three points earned by Schalke dislodged newly promoted Eintracht Frankfurt, who had occupied top spot for less than 24 hours following their 2-1 win over Nuremberg on Friday evening.

Bayern were unable to penetrate the Schalke defense in a cautious first 45 minutes, as the two sides largely neutralized each others' attackers.

Yet, the team that has won more national titles than any other turned on the afterburners in the first 15 minutes of the second half to earn the victory.

The Bavarians got goals from young German national team stars Toni Kroos (55thwhat a classy team Bayern is." At the same time though, he cautioned that there was a long way to go in the Bundesliga campaign.

"It's very gratifying to have a five-point gap (over Dortmund) but the championship is a 34-match marathon."

His opposite number, Huub Stevens was disappointed that his players' "heads went down" after Bayern's first goal. "Our fans don't deserve that," the Schalke coach said.

Hamburg score first win - over the defending champions

Surprisingly, what appeared to be the most lopsided matchup on paper turned out to be the most exciting.

Hamburg, who entered the fourth week of play in second-last place, looked to be facing a mission impossible as they lined up against defending champions Borussia Dortmund. However the last Bundesliga club never to have been relegated in