Werder topple Bayern in gripping clash

Leaders Werder Bremen beat champions Bayern Munich 3-1 in a gripping clash between Germany's big two yesterday.

Werder went 2-0 up in a frantic first half with goals from Diego and Pierre Wome before Bayern responded with a hooked finish from Roy Makaay in the 37th minute.

Bayern were pushing hard for an equaliser when Brazilian centre-back Lucio deflected a cross into his own net to restore Werder's two-goal lead in the 62nd minute.

The home victory keeps Werder top of the Bundesliga standings with 16 points from eight matches.

Schalke 04 are second, behind Werder on goal difference, following their 2-1 win at home to Hanover 96.

Hertha Berlin move up to third after winning 2-1 at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Bayern, who have won the double in each of the last two seasons, slip down to fourth place on 13 points, behind Hertha on goal difference.

Werder went into the game buoyed by excellent victories in the Bundesliga and Champions League - 6-0 away to Bochum last weekend and 2-0 at home to Levski Sofia on Wednesday.

"We were full of self-confidence and very secure," said Werder coach Thomas Schaaf.

"It was a very strong performance and I have to congratulate my team."

Werder enjoyed most of the possession early on and almost took the lead in the fifth minute when a free-kick rebounded back for Frings to smash over the bar.

Diego showed greater accuracy when he took a through-ball from Frings in the 11th minute and beat Oliver Kahn with a stinging shot off the underside of the crossbar.

The in-form Brazilian midfielder was the outstanding player on the field as Bayern struggled to keep up.

The second goal came in the 34th minute, just after Makaay had missed an easy chance for the equaliser.

Wome clattered a free-kick at the wall and the ball brushed past Lucio on its way to beating Oliver Kahn to his right.

Bayern then enjoyed a much better spell and deservedly pulled a goal back when Claudio Pizarro nodded a free-kick back in the area and Makaay pounced.

Bayern continued to threaten at the start of the second half but Lucio gifted Werder the crucial third when he stuck out a leg to deflect an aimless Wome cross past Kahn.

"Werder earned their win from the first minute," said Bayern coach Felix Magath. "We didn't do enough."