Hoffenheim hammer Hamburg to go top

Hoffenheim maintained their glorious start to life in the Bundesliga when they reclaimed top spot with a ruthless 3-0 win at home to Hamburg SV yesterday.

Nigerian striker Chinedu Obasi scored twice and Bosnian Vedad Ibisevic took his tally for the season to 10 as the village team with deep pockets secured probably the best win of their debut season in the top flight.

After nine games, Hoffenheim lead the standings with 19 points, one ahead of Bayer Leverkusen after they won 2-0 at home to Cologne on Friday.

Hamburg slipped to third on 17 points, one ahead of VfB Stuttgart after two late goals from Mario Gomez gave the latter a 2-0 win at home to Bochum yesterday.

Bayern Munich are in fifth place on 15 points after Juergen Klinsmann's side continued their recovery with a 4-2 home win over VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Hoffenheim made the breakthrough after seven minutes with a simple goal. Brazilian midfielder Carlos Eduardo played a swift ball in from the right to Obasi, who turned his marker just inside the area and beat the keeper at his near post.

The second came a few minutes later via a lightning break down the left. Obasi played the ball to Sejad Salihovic, who in turn fed Demba Ba. Frank Rost managed to block his shot but Ibisevic reacted quicker than anyone to turn in the rebound.

Hoffenheim extended their lead before the first half was up.

Ba elected to take a quick free-kick from inside his own half while Hamburg were still getting organised. His pass found Salihovic, who set Obasi running clear through the middle to dummy the keeper and make the game safe.