Bremen stay clear of Bayern

Ailton seals win
French defender Valérien Ismael gave Bremen a 57th-minute lead with a deflected free-kick. Five minutes from time, Dortmund's Tomáš Rosický was taken off with a broken arm leaving his side down to ten men because all three Dortmund substitutes had already been used. Brazilian striker Ailton took full advantage immediately, collecting his 20th league goal of the season to seal the triumph.

Bayern victory
Bayern stayed in touch with Bremen thanks to a 2-0 win at home to VfL Wolfsburg. Roy Makaay volleyed the title-holders into an eleventh-minute lead, and midfield player Bastian Schweinsteiger doubled the advantage 14 minutes before full time.

Stuttgart held
However, VfB Stuttgart are now 12 points back in third spot after being held to a goalless draw by visitors FC Schalke 04. VfL Bochum 1848 are three points further adrift after they drew 0-0 at home to FC Hansa Rostock, who missed a penalty on 25 minutes through Martin Max, but spent the last 34 minutes with ten men after Thomas Rasmussen was dismissed.

Hamburg delight
Bayer 04 Leverkusen could have moved above Bochum into fourth, but missed out after losing 3-1 at Hamburger SV. Hamburg were 2-0 up on 17 minutes, when Nico-Jan Hoogma's opener was followed by Mehdi Mahdavikia's penalty. Bernardo Romeo made it three 19 minutes later, and although Bernd Schneider soon pulled one back, Hamburg held on and are now eighth.

Koln beaten
At the other end of the table, TSV 1860 München moved five points away from the relegation zone following a 3-1 win at bottom side 1. FC Köln. Markus Schroth scored on 14 minutes to put 1860 ahead, and after Benjamin Lauth's 35th-minute penalty, Schroth added another before the break. Andriy Voronin pulled one back five minutes into the second half.

Eintracht rise
Eintracht Frankfurt are out of the bottom three after overcoming fellow strugglers VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, also by a 3-1 scoreline. Ervin Skela and Ioannis Amanatidis scored quickfire goals on 16 and 17 minutes and Eintracht's third came early in the second half from Alexander Schur. Arie van Lent scored a consolation 16 minutes from time.

Sunday games
1. FC Kaiserslautern dropped into the relegation zone, but can escape tomorrow with a point at SC Freiburg. Hertha BSC Berlin must win to leave the bottom three on Sunday when they visit Hannover 96.