Ruhr derby victory takes Dortmund top
Saturday, November 26, 2011
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Borussia Dortmund joined VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Bundesliga summit following a 2-0 defeat of FC Schalke 04, while Bayer 04 Leverkusen drew 3-3 with Hertha BSC Berlin.
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Borussia Dortmund's UEFA Champions League flame may be dying out but their Bundesliga fire is burning brightly, as victory against FC Schalke 04 in the Ruhr derby lifted the titleholders level with overnight leaders VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Just a point separated the two clubs at the outset, but Jürgen Klopp's side moved four clear of their local rivals thanks to goals by Robert Lewandowski (16) and Felipe Santana (61). Mönchengladbach had gone top following Friday's 3-0 success against 1. FC Köln, achieved with the help of two Mike Hanke strikes. FC Bayern München will move two points clear at the summit with victory at 1. FSV Mainz on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Bayer 04 Leverkusen − who on Wednesday overcame Chelsea FC to qualify for the UEFA Champions League knockout stage − rallied from two down at Hertha BSC Berlin only to concede Pierre–Michel Lasogga's 82nd-minute equaliser. Eren Derdiyok, who scored in midweek, had seemingly earned victory with a hat-trick (24, 64, 79) before the Werkself, in sixth, were pegged back to 3-3.
Elsewhere, there were 2-0 and 1-0 wins for FC Augsburg and 1. FC Nürnberg respectively while TSG 1899 Hoffenheim drew 1-1 with SC Freiburg, the scoreline shared by Hannover 96 and Hamburger SV in the late game.
