Table-topping Bremen hit Freiburg for six

BERLIN (AFP) - – Portuguese striker Hugo Almeida netted twice as Werder Bremen went top of the Bundesliga on Saturday thanks to their 6-0 hammering of Freiburg.

With unbeaten leaders Bayer Leverkusen playing Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena Sunday, Bremen seized on the opportunity to top the table and now lead Bayer, who also have 26 points, by superior goal difference.

"We put in a good performance," said Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf, whose side looked sharp despite the fortnight-long break for the international matches.

"I must praise my team who played well despite the long break, we have been improving steadily and I must congratulate them on that."

Bremen's Germany midfielder Mesut Oezil found huge gaps in the Freiburg defence and Almeida, 25, headed home after an Oezil cross on 33 minutes.

Winger Marko Marin then netted a free-kick on 55 minutes before Almeida scored his second just two minutes later.

Oezil grabbed one of his own on 67 minutes and was then fouled on 73 minutes before Brazilian defender Naldo slotted home the penalty.

With time running out Swedish striker Markus Rosenberg completed the rout on 82 minutes after a pass from Oezil.

Schalke 04 are third after their 2-0 win over grieving Hanover 96, who played their first game since their goalkeeper Robert Enke committed suicide 11 days ago.

The 61,000-strong crowd at Schalke's Veltins Arena gave the entire Hanover squad a standing ovation when they walked out. Enke was buried last Sunday following an emotional memorial service.

Florian Fromlowitz took over between the posts for Hanover with the whole team wearing special shirts in memory of their former captain.

But Schalke were not in charitable mood as Peru striker Jefferson Farfan put the Royal Blues ahead with a header on 69 minutes before Czech midfielder Jan Moravek added a second in injury time.

"I am very proud of my team, we matched Schalke and we created more possibilities in the first-half," said Hanover coach Andreas Bergmann.

"We lost our concentration and strength after the goal went in, but we have made the best of the situation."

Bottom side Hertha were denied their first win since the opening day of the season when they were held 1-1 at Stuttgart.

Hertha's Columbia striker Adrian Ramos scored in the 49th minute, only for Stuttgart's Serbian striker Zdravko Kuzmanovic to equalise on 85 minutes but then earn himself a second yellow card and a red two minutes later.

Hoffenheim are fourth after their 4-0 win over Cologne with star striker Vedad Ibisevic scoring his second goal in two games when he netted a 90th-minute penalty.

Defending champions Wolfsburg were beaten 3-2 at home by Nuremberg after Swiss striker Albert Bunjaku scored twice for the guests before midfielder Peer Kluge hit the winner in injury time.

Mid-table Eintracht Frankfurt were beaten 2-1 by Borussia Moenchengladbach.