 |
| Werder Bremen © Action Images |
Portuguese striker Hugo Almeida netted twice as Werder Bremen went top of the Bundesliga on Saturday thanks to their 6-0 hammering of Freiburg.
With unbeaten leaders Bayer Leverkusen playing Bayern Munich at
the Allianz Arena Sunday, Bremen seized on the opportunity to top
the table and now lead Bayer, who also have 26 points, by superior
goal difference.
"We put in a good performance," said Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf,
whose side looked sharp despite the fortnight-long break for the
international matches.
"I must praise my team who played well despite the long break,
we have been improving steadily and I must congratulate them on
that."
Bremen's Germany midfielder Mesut Oezil found huge gaps in the
Freiburg defence and Almeida, 25, headed home after an Oezil cross
on 33 minutes.
Winger Marko Marin then netted a free-kick on 55 minutes before
Almeida scored his second just two minutes later.
Oezil grabbed one of his own on 67 minutes and was then fouled
on 73 minutes before Brazilian defender Naldo slotted home the
penalty.
With time running out Swedish striker Markus Rosenberg completed
the rout on 82 minutes after a pass from Oezil.
Schalke 04 are third after their 2-0 win over grieving Hanover
96, who played their first game since their goalkeeper Robert Enke
committed suicide 11 days ago.
The 61 000-strong crowd at Schalke's Veltins Arena gave the
entire Hanover squad a standing ovation when they walked out. Enke
was buried last Sunday following an emotional memorial service.
Florian Fromlowitz took over between the posts for Hanover with
the whole team wearing special shirts in memory of their former
captain.
But Schalke were not in charitable mood as Peru striker
Jefferson Farfan put the Royal Blues ahead with a header on 69
minutes before Czech midfielder Jan Moravek added a second in
injury time.
"I am very proud of my team, we matched Schalke and we created
more possibilities in the first-half," said Hanover coach Andreas
Bergmann.
"We lost our concentration and strength after the goal went in,
but we have made the best of the situation."
Bottom side Hertha were denied their first win since the opening
day of the season when they were held 1-1 at Stuttgart.
Hertha's Columbia striker Adrian Ramos scored in the 49th
minute, only for Stuttgart's Serbian striker Zdravko Kuzmanovic to
equalise on 85 minutes but then earn himself a second yellow card
and a red two minutes later.
Hoffenheim are fourth after their 4-0 win over Cologne with star
striker Vedad Ibisevic scoring his second goal in two games when he
netted a 90th-minute penalty.
Defending champions Wolfsburg were beaten 3-2 at home by
Nuremberg after Swiss striker Albert Bunjaku scored twice for the
guests before midfielder Peer Kluge hit the winner in injury time.
Mid-table Eintracht Frankfurt were beaten 2-1 by Borussia
Moenchengladbach.
 | |  | | | Remember to go to www.supersport.com on your Mobile phone and keep in touch with the latest scores wherever you are. |  |
| |  | |  |
|
