Schalke triumph in Ruhr derby

FC Schalke 04 stormed to a 3-1 derby win at home against BV Borussia Dortmund on Sunday to rejoin Werder Bremen at the top of the Bundesliga.

Free-kick misjudged
Dortmund had made much the better start but Schalke took the lead in the 14th minute when Christian Pander's free-kick drifted in at goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller's far post. From then on, the Gelsenkirchen side dominated the match.

Frei consolation
Kevin Kuranyi headed in the second in the 25th minute after being left completely unmarked at a corner, and the former Germany international set up the third for Peter Løvenkrands just after the break. Dortmund got a late consolation when Alexander Frei surprised keeper Manuel Neuer with a snap shot from outside the penalty area.

Aachen success
With 16 games played, and one more round to go before the long winter break, Bremen head the table with 33 points following a 6-2 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. Schalke trail them on goal difference. TSV Alemannia Aachen won 2-1 away against ten-man VfL Wolfsburg in Sunday's other Bundesliga game.