Werder Bremen jumped to the top of the Bundesliga table ahead of Bayern Munich yesterday with a 2-1 home victory over Hamburg, capping a fine week after their 3-2 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Ivory Coast striker Boubacar Sanogo put Werder in front in the 15th minute on a soggy pitch, taking a throughball from Croatia midfielder Jurica Vranjes on the left and beating Hamburg goalkeeper Frank Rost with a crisp shot to the far post.
Hamburg got the equaliser against the run of play just past the hour when Rafael van der Vaart capitalised on a blunder from keeper Christian Vander. His attempt to clear went straight to the Dutch midfielder, who lobbed a shot back over Vander's head.
Werder got back in front three minutes later through a Rost error.
Finland defender Petri Pasanen had tried to send in a cross from the right but defender Vincent Kompany got a leg to it, deflecting it high before it tucked into the near corner.
Werder now lead for the first time this season with 33 points. Bayern, who play today at Arminia Biele-feld, are second on 31 points and Hamburg third on 30.
"We wanted the win and we're obviously very pleased," said Werder coach Thomas Schaaf.
"It was a difficult week and a difficult match. But we did it. We didn't let up at all today, even after conceding the equaliser. It was a great performance."
Both Werder and Hamburg were unbeaten in their last nine league matches with seven wins and two draws for 23 points. It was also the 87th north German derby. Werder now have 28 wins to Hamburg's 27 with 32 draws.
"I don't know if they were the better team, but they were certainly fresher," said Hamburg coach Huub Stevens, who said he was not happy his team had to play two days after their 3-0 UEFA Cup win on Thursday over Stade Rennes.
Werder had an extra day of rest after their victory over Real Madrid.
"It's unfortunate that such a match that could be so decisive for the championship had to be played under such conditions. You obviously aren't going to get as much out of your body just 42 hours after the last match."
Van der Vaart, who now has nine goals and pulled even with Bayern Munich strikers Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni at the top of the goal scoring table, said there could be no excuses.
"They were better in the first half and that's when they won it," he said. "We played on Thursday but that's no excuse. There's no shame in losing in Bremen. We'll bounce back."