Petrov proves prolific for Wolfsburg
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Article summary
VfL Wolfsburg have retained top spot in the Bundesliga after four goals from Martin Petrov.
Article body
By Mark Bennett
VfL Wolfsburg have retained first place in the Bundesliga thanks to four goals from Martin Petrov in the 4-3 win against 1. FSV Mainz 05.
Early joy
Wolfsburg fell two goals behind early in the match after Mathias Abel and Conor Casey struck for the visitors, but there was to be no stopping Bulgarian international Petrov at the VFL-Stadion. The striker scored from the penalty spot on 45 minutes and then found time for an equaliser before the interval. After the break Petrov continued his one-man show and added another penalty on 57 minutes before completing his haul five minutes later. Christof Babatz gave Mainz hope 15 minutes from the end, but it was not enough and the visitors drop down to seventh.
Third defeat
VfB Stuttgart slipped to their third defeat in the last seven days as they were beaten by the odd goal in five at FC Schalke 04. Ailton and Levan Kobiashvili struck inside the first 120 seconds to give Schalke a perfect start and when, midway through the first half, Lincoln made it 3-0, Stuttgart seemed to be heading for a hammering. However, the visitors managed to fightback through Zvonimir Soldo and Imre Szabics before the break, but there was to be no more scoring. The 3-2 win means Schalke leapfrog Stuttgart into second.
Bayern stumble
Elsewhere, VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach brought FC Bayern München down to earth, with the visitors losing Brazil defender Lucio to a red card. Marcello Pletsch and Joris Van Hout struck either side of the second-half dismissal for the hosts. SV Werder Bremen came from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw in the derby against Hamburger SV. David Jarolim gave the away side the lead in the first half, but Christian Schulz equalised for Bremen 17 minutes from the end.
Hannover happy
In today's other matches, Hannover 96 moved up into fourth place after a 3-0 home win over VfL Bochum 1848. Thomas Christiansen gave Hannover the lead before the break and Daniel Stendel and Leandro secured all three points after the break. BV Borussia Dortmund booked their first home win of the season, thanks to an Ewerthon goal against Bayer 04 Leverkusen in a match that saw Jens Nowotny sent off in the dying seconds. Finally, Hertha BSC Berlin took all three points from their trip to SC Freiburg after a 3-1 win.
