Klose double sends Werder Bremen top in Germany

BERLIN, Dec 2 (Reuters) Miroslav Klose struck twice to send Werder Bremen top of the Bundesliga with a 3-1 win over Hertha Berlin today, as Bayern Munich lost ground in a 1-1 draw at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Werder could hardly have had a better warm-up for next week's Champions League showdown with Barcelona. Diego scored from a penalty and Klose's first-half double made the game safe after Josip Simunic had grabbed an equaliser.

With 15 games played they lead the table with 30 points, one ahead of Schalke 04. The result means Schalke will have to win at Nuremberg tomorrow if they are to regain top spot.

VfB Stuttgart are third on 28 following their goalless draw at Mainz yesterday.

Bayern had a chance to move up to second but the champions had to settle for a draw that leaves them in fourth place on 27 points. Martin Demichelis headed them into the lead in the 23rd minute but Michael Delura equalised 10 minutes later.

There was further misery for Hamburg SV, who lost 2-1 at VfL Bochum, one of their main rivals in the relegation battle.

A sixth defeat of the league season left Hamburg second from bottom with just 11 points from 15 games.

REUTERS AY KP2247