Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller nets own goal in Bayer Leverkusen draw

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Muller's own goal leads to frustrating draw for Bayern Munich

Niklas Sule's goal is equalized by Thomas Muller's own goal as Bayern Munich and Bayern Leverkusen play to 1-1 draw.

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:59 am

Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller had a hapless return to action when he scored a costly own goal as the Bundesliga leaders were held 1-1 at home by third-placed Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

Bayern are still well in charge of the title race with 59 points after 25 matches although the result will give a glimmer of hope to chasing Borussia Dortmund, who are second on 50 points but have a game in hand. Leverkusen stayed third on 45.

Bayern took an 18th-minute lead when defender Niklas Sule pounced on a loose ball to score after two botched clearances following a dangerous corner from Joshua Kimmich.

Leverkusen, who had won five of their previous six league matches heading into the game and boasted the second best league form in 2022, levelled in the 36th with a fortuitous goal.

Mueller, who had missed last week's 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt due to a positive COVID-19 test, flummoxed his own goalkeeper Sven Ulreich as he turned a free kick from Kerem Demirbay into his own net.

Bayern had been dominant before conceding but Leverkusen ended the first half on top and Amine Adli and Charles Aranguiz missed two good chances to put the visitors ahead.

Thomas Muller shows his dejection after scoring an own goal.
Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Bayern substitute Marcel Sabitzer, who replaced Mueller jut past the hour, spurned a one-on-one with goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky in the second period, while striker Robert Lewandowski also missed a chance to win the game for the Bavarians late on.

It was the first time Bayern had drawn a match in the league since the opening day of the season in August when they were held 1-1 at Borussia Moenchengladbach and was also their first draw in the league at home.

Elsewhere on Saturday, an intriguing scrap to take control of the race for a Champions League place ended with honours even as RB Leipzig in fourth were held 1-1 at home by fifth-placed Freiburg, leaving both sides locked on 41 points.

Wolfsburg continued their march away from danger with a 1-0 win at home to seventh-placed Union Berlin, recording a third win in five games to reach 31 points in 12th place.

Eintracht Frankfurt, who are 10th, recorded the biggest win of the day by thrashing struggling Hertha Berlin 4-1 away, while mid-table VfL Bochum beat basement club Greuther Fuerth 2-1.