Germany round-up: Narrow wins for top two

FC Bayern München remain top of the 1. Bundesliga after a 1-0 win against VfL Wolfsburg, as the top two in Germany secured narrow wins.

Bayern win
Bayern put their UEFA Champions League disappointment behind them at the Olympiastadion, and maintained their five-point lead over second-placed BV Borussia Dortmund as a headed goal after 27 minutes from Roque Santa Cruz secured them three points.

Ewerthon strike
Matthias Sammer's side also found goals hard to come by after a bright start to their game against TSV 1860 München. Ewerthon gave Dortmund a fifth-minute lead at the Westfalenstadion with what proved to be the only goal of the game. The win ended a run of three straight defeats for the home side.

Hertha in third
UEFA Cup challengers Hertha BSC Berlin moved into third place after a 1-0 win at newly-promoted Hannover 96, with Belgian international Bart Goor scoring the only goal of the game after 17 minutes. Hertha are a point clear of VfB Stuttgart, who drew 1-1 at FC Hansa Rostock as a Kevin Kuranyi equaliser a minute after the break cancelled out Rade Prica's opener for Hansa.

Leverkusen equaliser
Champions League contenders Bayer 04 Leverkusen secured a late equaliser at home against VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach despite the dismissal of defender Diego Placente. Leverkusen had to come from behind twice with two Daniel Bierofka goals after first Igor Demo and then Bernd Korzynietz had given the visitors the lead. The second equaliser came three minutes from time.

Ten men each
FC Energie Cottbus and DSC Arminia Bielefeld both ended their game with ten players but at least Cottbus were able to celebrate winning three points. Andrzej Kobylanski opened the scoring after eight minutes for the home side and Christian Beeck scored a second after 66 minutes, only to be sent off almost immediately. Rüdiger Kauf pulled a goal back for Arminia but Christoph Dabrowski's dismissal in added time ended their challenge.

Ciric scores again
In today's other game, Sasa Ciric scored his ninth goal of the season from the penalty spot against Hamburger SV, but his side, 1. FC Nürnberg, were out of luck as they lost 3-1 at home, with Sergej Barbarez, Marcel Maltritz and Bernardo Romeo scoring. TSV Werder Bremen play 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Sunday, while VfL Bochum take on FC Schalke 04.