Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios scored two second-half penalties to complete a 2-1 comeback victory over visitors Bayern Munich on Sunday and deny them the Bundesliga lead.
Bayern were nowhere to be seen at the start with the hosts unleashing a flurry of shots towards Yann Sommer’s goal in the opening 15 minutes.
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They did, however, score against the run of play and with their first shot of the game when Joshua Kimmich’s effort was deflected in after 22 minutes.
Things, however, took a turn for the worse for Bayern after the break with sloppy defending earning the hosts two penalties.
Palacios draw them level with a well-taken 55th minute spot kick and then earned another, this time for a foul by Dayot Upamecano.
The Argentine stepped up again to beat Sommer for a second time and complete the comeback for Xabi Alonso’s team in the 73rd.
They hung on to victory despite late pressure from the Bavarians and chances from Kinglsey Coman and Matthijs de Ligt.
Bayern, who face Manchester City in the Champions League quarterfinals next month and are also through to the German Cup last eight, remain in second place on 52 points, one behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, who crushed Cologne 6-1 on Saturday.
Leverkusen climbed up to eighth on 37.
