Just three days after their sensational 3:2 defeat of Real madrid in the UEFA Champions League, Werder Bremen put the icing on the end of a wonderful week. The Green-Whites beat arch rivals Hamburg SV 2:1 in the north German derby to take top spot in the Bundesliga. The goals were scored by Boubacar Sanogo, after a fantastic pass from Jurica Vranjes (15’) and Petri Pasanen, with the help of a wicked deflection from Vincent Kompany (64’). The visitors goal was scored by Raphael van der Vaart (61’).

Coach Thomas Schaaf had to make two changes to the side which started against the Spanish giants in mid-week with Dusko Tosic replacing the injured Clemens Fritz on the left side of defence, with Petri Pasanen switching out to the right and Diego returning from a Champions League suspension to force Aaron Hunt back onto the bench.

Sanogo settles an old score

The north German derby got underway at a capacity filled Weser Stadium in front of 42,100 spectators in typical pacy and passionate local derby fashion. The home side had the better of the early part of the game and created the better chances through Daniel Jensen after just two minutes and two minutes later with Markus Rosenberg bringing the best out of HSV keeper Frank Rost who had to be brave to cover. The keeper was tested again in the 12th minute by a powerful Naldo free-kick from all of 30 meters but was equal to the task. HSV attempted to answer with a Raphael van der Vaart effort from distance but Christian Vander in the Werder goal was never really troubled.

The Green-Whites had the upper hand and were soon to make use of their possession. Jurica Vranjes played a perfectly weighted pass through the HSV back four to find Boubacar Sanogo who slotted past the advancing Frank Rost to make it 1:0. It was the seventh goal of the current season for the Ivory Coast international, who has blossomed in Bremen since leaving Hamburg, and one he is not likely to forget in a hurry.

The visitors were clearly affected by going behind and reacted with some rather heavy challenges in particular on Diego and both van der Vaart and Nigel de Jong saw yellow for fouls on the tricky Brazilian. The home side remained in charge and could have doubled their lead after Markus Rosenberg was set through by Daniel Jensen (23’) and soon after when bastian Reinhardt made a last ditch block to deny Sanogo (27’).

Hunt replaces Baumann

With the break fast approaching, Thomas Schaaf’s men took the foot off the pedal and had only one further chance in the first half through a Rosenberg header which flew narrowly wide of the post (35’). HSV on the other hand were determined to level before the break and tried their luck with van der Vaart (38’) and Ivica Olic (41’) both going close. At half time, Werder captain Frank Baumann, playing his 250th game in the Bundesliga, was forced out with adductoral problems and was replaced by a further ‘Real-Hero’ in Aaron Hunt who moved out to the right and pushed Jensen back into the ‘Number 6’ position.

Two goalkeeping errors – two goals

With the game tentatively poised, and only one gaol separating the teams, the second half began with the same tempo and passion as the first had. Werder were less active than before the break and slowly allowed HSV to take control of proceedings. The guests equalising goal was never just a question of time though – quite the opposite in fact. From a back pass, Christian Vander attempted to clear his lines but played directly to the feet of Raphael van der Vaart who controlled the ball well and lobbed the stranded keeper cleverly to put his side back on level terms with the Green-Whites (61’). Werder didn’t allow the equalising goal t put them out of their stride and just three minutes later it was the HSV keeper left embarrassingly holding his head in his hands. Aaron Hunt sent Petri Pasanen down the right and the Finns cross was wickedly deflected by Vincent Kompany, catching the keeper off guard and his late reaction was too little to prevent the Green-Whites going back in front (64’).

Never say die

The two obscure goals bred life into an entertaining north Derby. HSV knew their only option was attack and brought striker Mohamed Zidan for Piotr Trochowski but Werder were not about to sit back and allow the visitors to have it all their own way and pushed on themselves in search of a third, and deciding goal. Neither side managed to find a breakthrough for all their efforts, and in the end the home side won narrowly but not undeservedly.

It was the perfect end to a perfect week for Thomas Schaaf and his men as they beat their closest rivals to take top spot in the Bundesliga table and put Bayern Munich under pressure to win on Sunday.

Johnnie Muldoon

Werder Bremen- Hamburger SV 2:1

Werder Bremen: Vander - Pasanen, Mertesacker, Naldo, Tosic - Baumann (46. Hunt) - Jensen, Vranjes - Diego - Sanogo (87. Andreasen), Rosenberg (81. Klasnic); on the bench: Pellatz, Alberto, Harnik, Mosquera

Hamburger SV: Rost - Boateng, Reinhardt, Mathijsen, Atouba - Jarolim, de Jong (59. Kompany) - Demel (59. Castelen), van der Vaart, Trochowski (69. Zidan) - Olic

Goals: 1:0 (15.) Sanogo, 1:1 (61.) van der Vaart, 2:1 (64.) Pasanen

Referee: Fandel (Kyllburg)

Attendance: Weser-Stadion: 42.100

Yellow cards: Baumann – de Jong, van der Vaart, Jarolim