Werder Bremen close the gap between them and leaders Bayern Munich to just one point - until tomorrow at least.

WERDER BREMEN 2-0 NUREMBERG

Nuremberg's Ivan Saenko received a needless second booking for not retreating at a free kick in the 20th minute and Werder took advantage of the sending-off to put pressure on leaders Bayern Munich.

Daniel Jensen set up Markus Rosenberg to squeeze in the opening goal in the 30th minute and substitute Ivan Klasnic headed in the clinching second with nine minutes to go.

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ENERGIE COTTBUS 0-2 BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Cottbus welcomed Angela Merkel as an honorary member in a pre-match ceremony but the presence of the German Chancellor failed to inspire the relegation threatened team.

Mladen Petric blasted into the roof of the net for Dortmund's first and the Croatian striker notched his 11th of the season late on.

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HANSA ROSTOCK 1-0 EINTRACHT FRANKFURT

Rostock stopped Frankfurt's climb up the table, and boosted their own survival hopes with this gritty performance.

Christian Rahn headed in the winner from near the goalline following a cross from the left from Marc Stein in the 76th minute.

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HERTHA BERLIN 1-0 ARMINIA BIELEFELD

Brazilian forward Raffael struck in the dying seconds, poking past the keeper following a defensive slip, to give Hertha the win.

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KARLSRUHE 2-2 BAYER LEVERKUSEN

Karlsruhe came back from two goals down to earn a draw from a high quality match.

Simon Rolfes chested down before sweeping in on the half-volley for Leverkusen's opener in the sixth minute and Stefan Kiessling provided an equally sweet finish for the second in the 58th. Two minutes later the home side got one back through Sebastian Freis and Josh Kennedy's back header with 12 minutes to go secured a draw.

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DUISBURG 2-3 VfB STUTTGART

Stuttgart let slip a two-goal lead before clinching victory with a last-gasp strike from Thomas Hitzlsperger.

Mario Gomez had set the champions on their way to what looked like being a regulation win with a header in the 16th minute and a right-footed finish just before the interval.

A brilliant free kick from Claudiu Niculescu gave Duisburg hope early in the second half and Manasseh Ishiaku beat the keeper at his near post to equalise before the final late twist sent Stuttgart home happy.

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Played Friday:

SCHALKE 04 1-2 VfL WOLFSBURG

Schalke were the better side but a loss of concentration over the final 20 minutes cost them dear.

Schalke, who carry the flag for Germany in the Champions League when they host Porto on Tuesday, looked to be on their way to a fourth successive league win when Uruguay forward Vicente Sanchez put them ahead in the 65th minute.

Grafite took advantage of a defensive mix-up to grab an equaliser in the 73rd minute, however, and the Brazilian striker blasted home the winner from the penalty spot six minutes from time after Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer tripped Edin Dzeko.

Reuters