
Bayer Leverkusen's top three aspirations took a blow after a 3-2 defeat to Hoffenheim, while Eintracht Frankfurt took a big step away from the German Bundesliga relegation zone by claiming a convincing 5-2 win over fellow strugglers Nurnberg Leverkusen's winless streak was extended to nine matches as Hoffenheim gained revenge for a ghost goal in the reverse fixture, when a Kiessling header which entered the goal through a hole in the side nettingto give Bayer a 2-1 win. That was clearly still on the Hoffenheim players' minds as they pushed Leverkusen back, taking the lead in the 14th minute from the penalty spot after Roberto Hilbert handled the ball inside the area. Hoffenheim appeared to be in full control of the game, earning the first jeers from the impatient home fans, but those turned to cheers in the 39th minute when, against the run of play, Kiessling headed Emir Spahic's cross home. The joy was short lived, though, with Volland sent through by Roberto Firmino and he skipped past Andres Guardado before striking into the far corner. Leverkusen levelled again in the 54th minute with Rolfes picked out by Lars Bender's backheel after Jens Grahl could only parry Guardado's free-kick. The hosts almost took the lead within a minute when Omer Toprak's header was tipped over the bar by Grahl with the game opening up. Either side could have won it, but it was Hoffenheim who took the spoils, and a dose of revenge, only seconds after Eren Derdiyok had wasted Leverkusen's best chance. Fabian Johnson's cross was an invitation that Modeste was not going to turn down as he sealed the points in dramatic circumstances. Leverkusen are now six points behind the top three and only two ahead of fifth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach. Meanwhile, Frankfurt broke the deadlock in Nurnberg after Emanuel Pogatetz lost possession to Stefan Aigner. He had only one thing on his mind as he raced towards the penalty before squaring for Barnetta to net his first goal of the season from close range. Frankfurt were worthy of their lead but, as they failed to convert a second, Nurnberg were still in the game at the break. That changed in four minutes early in the second half when first Joselu and then Madlung gave Frankfurt a more comfortable advantage. Aigner selflessly set up Joselu for his goal, passing rather than shooting with only Raphael Schafer to beat, before Madlung tucked in the rebound after Martin Lanig's header was saved. Nurnberg did not hoist the white flag, though, and Drmic reduced the arrears in the 64th minute with a great first touch from Campana's pass, and an even better finish. With less than 20 minutes to go, Nurnberg edged to within one goal of their visitors when Campana scored a stunning goal from fully 30 yards out. Nurnberg's hopes of finding an equaliser were dealt a blow when Pinola was sent off for fouling Joselu. The Spaniard then ended Nurnberg's hopes in the 88th minute, volleying in after Schafer saved from Kadlec. Frankfurt's fifth would come from the Czech striker, though, and he picked his spot in the far corner before curling home a shot with the outside of his boot to leave Nurnberg in the bottom two. Source: FIFA.com
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