European Football

Bayern draw with Hamburg to edge four clear

18:33 GMT, Sun 24 Feb 2008
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Bayern Munich's goalkeeper Oliver Kahn (2ndR) reacts after HSV Hamburg scored their first goal during a German Bundesliga first division soccer match in Munich, February 24, 2008. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. REUTERS/Alexandra Beier (GERMANY)

By Kevin Fylan

BERLIN, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Bayern Munich edged four points clear in the Bundesliga after their customary ruthless touch deserted them in a 1-1 draw at home to Hamburg SV on Sunday.

Werder Bremen's surprise 1-0 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday had given Bayern the chance to move six clear but a mistake from Lucio handed Hamburg the lead and the Bavarians were grateful to a Ze Roberto equaliser for a draw.

"It's really annoying to lose two points," Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld told reporters. "We had Hamburg completely under control."

To cap a frustrating afternoon, the Bavarians had Mark van Bommel sent off in added time when a prolonged confrontation with the referee brought him two yellow cards.

The result keeps Bayern top on 44 points from 21 matches, followed by Werder on 40 and Bayer Leverkusen on 38 after their 1-0 win at home to Schalke 04 on Saturday.

A point in Sunday's big game at the Allianz Arena left Hamburg in fourth place, behind Leverkusen on goal difference.

MISSED CHANCES

Ze Roberto was the outstanding player in midfield and the Brazilian almost gave Bayern the lead in the 11th minute with a shot that brushed against a defender and landed just wide.

Luca Toni then missed with a header from five metres before Van Bommel barged his way into a good position only to send a snap shot wide.

The chances kept coming at the start of the second half but Bayern kept missing and they paid the price when Lucio's dreadful mistake led to Hamburg's opener.

With an hour gone the Brazilian defender tried to walk the ball out of defence only to lose control. David Jarolim nipped in and slipped a pass across to Croatian striker Ivica Olic, who comfortably beat Oliver Kahn.

Hitzfeld sent on Franck Ribery, back after a hamstring injury, and the Frenchman played a part in the equaliser six minutes later.

Ribery pounced on a loose ball in the area, after Christian Lell's run had been blocked, and cut the ball back for Ze Roberto to finish simply.

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