Bayern bowed by high-flying Hannover
Saturday, March 5, 2011
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FC Bayern München suffered a third straight reverse in all competitions for the first time since 2000 in a 3-1 loss at Hannover 96, while Christian Eigler stole the show for 1. FC Nürnberg.
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FC Bayern München's disappointing campaign continued as Louis van Gaal's charges were beaten 3-1 by third-placed Hannover 96, who stretched their advantage over the champions to five points before Bayer 04 Leverkusen won 3-0 against VfL Wolfsburg.
Mohammed Abdellaoue (16), Konstantin Rausch (51) and Sergio Pinto (62) did the damage as Bayern, who replied though Arjen Robben (55), lost their third consecutive match for the first time since 14 October 2000. The visitors' misery was complete when Breno (73) was dismissed in a seventh Bundesliga defeat Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said "absolutely marks the low point of the season".
Hannover are 14 points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, who beat 1. FC Köln 1-0 on Friday, while Leverkusen are two points better off after overcoming Wolfsburg with first-half goals by Lars Bender, Renato Augusto and Stefan Kiessling.
It was a day to remember for Christian Eigler, who hit four in 1. FC Nürnberg's 5-0 demolition of FC St Pauli. Philipp Wollscheid (4) opened the scoring before Eigler (14, 17, 86, 87) enjoyed his day in the sun.
Elsewhere, there were vital victories for relegation-embattled VfB Stuttgart and bottom side VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, who were 1-0 and 2-0 winners against FC Schalke 04 and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim respectively.