Borussia Dortmund's miserable Bundesliga season was extended by a 2-1 defeat at last-placed Werder Bremen -- the 2011 and 2012 champions' 10th loss of the campaign.
Davie Selke scored one goal and set up another for Bremen to climb off the bottom and leave Dortmund provisionally second-to-last after 17 games. Freiburg, the new bottom side, play on Sunday.
The 19-year-old Selke opened the scoring with a fine finish in the third minute and easily eluded Mats Hummels before crossing for Fin Bartels to make it 2-0 in the 62nd minute.
Hummels threatened to spark a comeback with a flying header following Ilkay Gundogan's corner in the 69th, but BVB could not find an equaliser.
Karim Bellarabi salvaged Bayer Leverkusen a 1-1 draw late on against Eintracht Frankfurt as two of the Bundesliga's most entertaining sides disappointed in their final match before the winter break.
The expected fireworks did not arrive at the BayArena, leaving Alexander Meier to net his customary goal and Bellarabi to snatch an 83rd-minute leveller.
A full house did not get the expected spectacle, but both sets of fans will be largely satisfied with their side's respective league positions as the Bundesliga takes a break for the next six weeks.
Wolfsburg reduced Bayern Munich's deficit at the top of the standings to 11 points while establishing a six-point cushion over Bayer Leverkusen in third thanks to a 2-1 win over Cologne.
The Wolves had to come from behind for victory, Dominic Maroh putting the guests in front after 11 minutes.
Five minutes later, Bas Dost brought Wolfsburg level and, after more than an hour chipping away at their guests, they finally managed to find a winner with central defender Naldo supplying a fine end to 2014 for Dieter Hecking's men.
Wolfsburg reduced Bayern Munich's deficit at the top of the standings to 11 points while establishing a six-point cushion over Leverkusen in third thanks to a 2-1 win over Cologne.
The Wolves had to come from behind for victory, Dominic Maroh putting the guests in front after 11 minutes.
Five minutes later, Bas Dost brought Wolfsburg level and, after more than an hour chipping away at their guests, they finally managed to find a winner with central defender Naldo supplying a fine end to 2014 for Dieter Hecking's men.
Augsburg came from behind to return to winning ways and close the gap on Borussia Monchengladbach with a 2-1 win at the SGL arena.
Max Kruse put the visitors in front early on from the spot, but Markus Feulner levelled after 20 minutes.
Raul Bobadilla ensured Augsburg took all three points and moved level on 27 points with their opponents after their best ever first half to a league season.
Schalke went two consecutive home games without a win to end 2014 on a sorry note with a goalless draw at home to Hamburg.
On the day the Gelsenkirchen club announced the contract extension of striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Roberto Di Matteo's men lacked inspiration up front and had to defend stoutly to hold on to a point against the strugglers.
Hamburg had the better chances to win it in the second half, but will nevertheless be pleased with the point which keeps them above the bottom three going into the winter break.
Stuttgart and Paderborn played out a goalless draw at the Mercedes-Benz-Arena, leaving two points between the two sides heading into 2015.
Chances were few and far between, but the best fell Paderborn's way with Sven Ulreich earning credit for Stuttgart taking a point.
Information from the Press Association was used in this report