Leverkusen stage comeback to beat Valencia 2-1

Bayer Leverkusen scored twice in four minutes to beat Valencia 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday and tighten their hold on second spot in Group E.Valencia led at the interval with a goal by Jonas but Andre Schuerrle levelled with a thundering drive in the 52nd minute and Sidney Sam snatched the winner in the 56th to secure Leverkusen's first win over a Spanish side in the last eight attempts.The result leaves the 2002 Champions League finalists in second spot on six points, one behind leaders Chelsea who crushed Belgium's Racing Genk.    Valencia, who had dominated in the first half and have only themselves to blame for not having led by more goals, are third on two points.    The game, seen by both coaches as key for a top two finish that secures qualification to the knockout stage, got off to a frantic start with Valencia dominating possession and threatening with a powerful Roberto Soldado shot.    The Spanish forward was then fortunate to see the ball deflected into his path in the 20th minute but his close-range effort was off target.Soldado was involved again five minutes later when he benefitted from some confusion between defenders Stefan Reinartz and Omer Toprak, cut into the area and set up Brazilian Jonas to tap in for his first Champions League goal.Soldado should have added another a little later but failed to keep his header from six metres down before Leverkusen keeper Bernd Leno made a spectacular double save as the Spaniards went on a full frontal attack.Frustration showed for Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt, who was pacing up and down, barking orders.His shouts awakened his players with Schuerrle forcing a good save from keeper Diego Alves who then palmed a point-blank Michael Ballack header wide just before the break.Germany international Schuerrle was on target seven minutes after the restart, firing in a powerful left-footer from a Michal Kadlec cross before Sam added another in an unexpected turnaround, sprinting to chase down a deep pass and beat Alves.