Stuttgart surprised by goal rush

Leaders SV Werder Bremen demonstrated their attacking prowess on Sunday by hammering four goals past the meanest defence in the Bundesliga - but they allowed VfB Stuttgart to score four themselves in a thrilling encounter at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion.

Double strikes
Stuttgart had conceded just 12 goals in 25 Bundesliga matches before Sunday's game, but shipped four inside an hour against Bremen, the league's highest scorers. Ivan Klasnic twice cancelled out Marcelo Bordon strikes to keep the leaders in contention before Ailton's 42nd-minute strike ensured the visitors went into the break ahead.

Schulz off
Bordon completed his hat-trick five minutes after the restart and Marco Streller's goal midway through the second half put Stuttgart ahead, but Ailton's 24th Bundesliga goal of the season levelled the scores once again. As both sides searched for a winning goal, tempers began to boil over and Bremen's Christian Schulz received a second yellow card leaving his side hanging on for the last ten minutes.

'Fantastic game'
"I think everybody won today," said Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf. "It was a fantastic game. There were a few things I didn't like but I can't really complain. Stuttgart were very strong and my team fought well."

Klose doubt
In the day's other game, two goals from midfield player Christian Rahn helped Hamburger SV to a 3-2 win against 1. FC Kaiserslautern at the AOL Arena. Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who scored one of the visitors' goals, sustained an ankle injury and may be forced to miss his country's friendly with Belgium on Wednesday.