Bayern on cloud nine

Hamburg’s hopes of hanging onto the coat-tails of runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich were dashed as they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to lowly Nuremberg.

Bayern’s 3-1 win at Borussia Monchengladbach yesterday stretched their lead at the top to nine points but second-placed Hamburg were expected to cut that back down to six with victory at the Frankenstadion.

They looked on course to do that when Nuremberg defender Andreas Wolf put into his own net in the 64th minute but two goals in six minutes by Ivan Saenko and substitute Stefan Kiessling earned the hosts maximum points.

Fifth-placed Hertha Berlin needed a last-minute goal by Dick Van Burik to secure a point in the 1-1 home draw with Hanover.