Awesome Bremen leave Bayern stunned

Rosenberg opener
Franck Ribéry was unable to make his much-anticipated return for Bayern after suffering stiffness in his right thigh and the German titleholders missed his cunning as they attempted to regain top spot in the standings. Instead, it was visitors Bremen who wielded a dangerous attacking edge. Swedish striker Markus Rosenberg opened the scoring on the half hour and Brazilian defender Naldo landed a further blow on the stroke of half-time.

Quick goals
Those expecting a fierce Bayern reaction after the break were soon proved wrong as Mesut Özil put Bremen three up in the 54th minute before Rosenberg and Claudio Pizarro made it five. The hosts finally got on the scoresheet through substitute and ex-Bremen midfielder Tim Borowski in the 71st and 85th minutes but his former club were soon celebrating their second victory of the campaign – and one that elevated them to fourth in the standings, just above their opponents on goal difference.

Schalke top
UEFA Cup hopefuls Schalke moved to the summit, meanwhile, courtesy of a 1-0 home win over Frankfurt. Full-back Chris saw red for the away side after just 34 minutes and Schalke found themselves ahead merely seven minutes later when Patrick Ochs put through his own net. Elsewhere, fellow UEFA Cup participants Hertha BSC Berlin also took three points, winning by the same scoreline at VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, while FC Energie Cottbus drew 1-1 at home against VfL Bochum 1848 and DSC Arminia Bielefeld lifted themselves out of bottom three by prevailing 2-0 over visitors 1. FC Köln.