Leverkusen stay firmly in title hunt
Sunday, March 14, 2010
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen moved within three points of leaders FC Bayern München with a 4-2 victory over Hamburger SV that dented Bruno Labbadia's side's hopes of muscling in on the top four.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen defeated Hamburger SV 4-2 to ensure that a three-way tussle for the Bundesliga title continues.
Second-placed FC Schalke 04 and leaders FC Bayern München remain two points apart after victories on Friday and Saturday respectively, with Leverkusen a point further back in third. Defeated 3-2 by 1. FC Nürnberg last weekend, a result which ended their unbeaten league record this term, Jupp Heynckes' team were back on track midway through the first half when Stefan Kiessling beat Frank Rost with a low drive.
Zé Roberto drew Hamburg level (33) following a mistake by goalkeeper René Adler but headers from Eren Derdiyok (55) and Kiessling (62) gave the hosts a two-goal cushion. Though David Rozehnal halved that advantage with seven minutes left from close range, Gonzalo Castro's immediate riposte ensured maximum points.
Hamburg stay fifth, two points behind BV Borussia Dortmund and one clear of Werder Bremen, who triumphed 1-0 at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Claudio Pizarro struck the decisive goal ten minutes from time as Bremen maintained an undefeated league run that has been intact since 30 January.
