Bayern Munich extended their advantage at the Bundesliga summit to three points with a 5-0 thumping of Energie Cottbus on Wednesday, while champions Stuttgart got their campaign back on track with a 1-0 win over Bochum.
Germany striker Miroslav Klose was the chief architect of the Cottbus' downfall with a second-half hat-trick. Martin Demichelis and Luca Toni also notched after the interval following a goalless first period.
Over the weekend Cottbus, bottom of the league with just two points, sacked popular head coach Petrik Sander - a move that prompted furious fan protests aimed at controversial club president Ulrich Lepsch.
Sander's assistant Thomas Hossmang was asked to take the helm for the game in Munich, but refused due to his close ties with the departed coach.
Amateur team coach Heiko Weber took temporary charge, but could not prevent the league leaders romping to a comfortable win.
Roberto Hilbert grabbed the only goal of the game as Stuttgart, who managed just two victories from their first six games, picked up a much-needed win.
Hilbert struck five minutes into the second half to move Armin Veh's team up four places to ninth in the standings.
Elsewhere, new-boys Karlsruhe registered an impressive 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt with Maik Franz grabbing the crucial goal six minutes after the interval.
Karlsruhe were reduced to 10 men two minutes from the end when Andreas Gorlitz saw red, but the points were already safe.
Bayer Leverkusen moved up to second spot by triumphing 2-1 at Nurnberg, who remain in the relegation zone.
Steffan Kiessling gave the visitors the lead six minutes before half-time and, although a 73rd-minute penalty from Marek Mintal briefly restored parity, Tranquillo Barnetta's goal three minutes later sealed the points.
Elsewhere Hannover were 2-0 winners at Arminia Bielefeld. Szabolcs Huszti broke the deadlock from the spot nine minutes after the restart and Sergio Pinto made the game safe five minutes from time.
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