Werder Bremen 2 : 1 Bayer Leverkusen - Bremen extend winning run

Werder Bremen extended their winning start to the new year to three games thanks to a 2-1 triumph over Bayer Leverkusen.

Davie Selke and Zlatko Junuzovic netted the goals for Viktor Skripnik's in-form team with Hakan Calhanoglu heading what would prove to be a consolation for the visitors just before half-time.

The result sees Bremen move up to eighth in the Bundesliga, just six points behind Leverkusen in sixth and, more importantly, seven points above the relegation zone.

With the in-form Franco Di Santo missing out with a thigh strain, it was up to 19-year-old Selke to lead the Bremen attack as they searched for a fourth straight league win.

And, after showing his strength in creating an opening for himself in the 17th minute, Selke then scored with his next chance.

The teenager met Fin Bartels' cross from the left with a sweet volley from close range, beating Bernd Leno and putting Bremen in front.

The goal saw the game open up with Leverkusen committing more men forward and Bremen looking lively on the break, nearly doubling their lead 10 minutes later when Leno made a good save to deny Theodor Gebre Selassie.

Bremen only had to wait three more minutes before celebrating a second goal, though, with Junuzovic underlining his free-kick prowess from 20 yards, leaving Leno no chance.

Leverkusen reduced the arrears just before half-time. After Gonzalo Castro hit the post, Wendell's effort on the rebound was saved by Raphael Wolf but the ball looped up for Calhanoglu to score his first headed goal in the Bundesliga.

The game turned a bit scrappy in the second half with Karim Bellarabi often the victim of fouls, given his mazy runs.

It all got too much for Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt, who was sent into the stands for protesting, apparently demanding more protection for his players.

All this played into Bremen's hands, although while they may have been training for a relegation scrap over the winter, it appears they can now have other objectives after their fourth straight league win lifted them closer to the top six than the bottom three.

Eighth is their highest league position at such an advanced stage of a season since they were seventh in November 2012.