Karlsruhe rally denies Leverkusen top billing

Bayer 04 Leverkusen missed the chance to claim top spot in the Bundesliga after surrendering a three-goal lead at Karlsruher SC, while Hamburger SV held on to a 2-1 advantage against BV Borussia Dortmund to move third.

Stunning start
Bruno Labbadia's charges began the day one point behind surprise leaders TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, who travel to Hertha BSC Berlin on Sunday, and appeared in total control as they raced to a 3-0 advantage inside 24 minutes through Patrick Helmes, Stefan Kiessling and Michal Kadlec. However, Antonio Da Silva reduced the deficit before the break and an amazing comeback was completed with second-half strikes from Tim Sebastian and Alexander Iashvili. Leverkusen stay second on goals scored.

Croatians strike
Hamburg were also the dominant force in their first 45 minutes against Dortmund and two goals to the good at the break thanks to Croatian pair Mladen Petrić and Ivica Olić. Diego Klimovicz (48) set up a tense finish but Martin Jol's side held their nerve to leapfrog FC Schalke 04 and FC Bayern München ahead of their Sunday meeting in Gelsenkirchen.

Grafite treble
Elsewhere, Grafite took his tally to eight goals in nine league games this term with a hat-trick in VfL Wolfsburg’s 3-0 win at home to bottom side FC Energie Cottbus. DSC Arminia Bielefeld are only a place ahead of Energie after they were defeated 2-0 at home by VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, who rise out of the relegation zone as a result. The final match saw VfL Bochum 1848 draw 0-0 at home to Werder Bremen, leaving the home side in the bottom three. 1. FC Köln were 2-1 victors against Hannover 96 on Friday.