Werder Bremen saw off a heroic fightback from newcomers Hoffenheim to snatch a 5-4 win yesterday, while misfiring Bayern Munich lost 1-0 at Hanover 96.

Bremen, 5-2 winners away to Bayern last weekend, picked up where they left off in yesterday's Bundesliga clash at home to Hoffenheim as they built up a 4-1 lead in the first half.

The visitors recovered to 4-4 before 10-man Bremen grabbed a late winner through Mesut Ozil.

While Bremen were running riot, Bayern were utterly devoid of ideas against Hanover, who took the lead with a Szabolcs Huszti free-kick and held on comfortably.

Hamburg lead the standings with 13 points from six games after a 1-0 win at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach, courtesy of a Mladen Petric goal. Bayer Leverkusen are second on 12 points after a nervy 3-2 win at Bochum.

Bremen are up to third place on 11 points after their latest scoring spree.

Once again, Bayern were let down by a mistake from goalkeeper Michael Rensing, who could not get across quickly enough to keep out a clever free-kick from Huszti.

For Werder, Ozil struck a carbon copy of his goal against Bayern last Saturday to make it 1-0, cracking in a 20-metre shot at the near post before Hoffenheim equalised through Demba Ba. Werder recovered the lead through Claudio Pizarro and a Diego half-volley followed by an Aaron Hunt blast from outside made it 4-1.

Hoffenheim got one back before half-time via a 25-metre free-kick from Sejad Salihovic and Vedad Ibisevic made it 4-3 from the penalty spot just past the hour mark.

Almost immediately Werder had Per Mertesacker sent off and Marvin Compper headed in the equaliser with 20 minutes to go.

That was plenty of time for a grand finale and it came when Ozil clattered in a long-range shot for his second of the game.