Bayern Munich maintained their four-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga after a 2-0 win over Arminia Bielefeld.
The Bavarians have seen their seemingly comfortable lead at the summit of Germany's top flight reduced in recent weeks, but Felix Magath's side kept their composure to claim three points at the Allianz Arena.
After a goalless first half, Chelsea target Michael Ballack broke the deadlock for Bayern on 69 minutes before the veteran Mehmet Scholl ended the scoring with a second four minutes later.
The win keeps Bayern four points clear of nearest rivals Hamburg, who kept pace with a 2-0 win at relegation-threatened MSV Duisburg.
A Uwe Mohrle own-goal gave Hamburg the lead on 24 minutes before the Brazilian Ailton scored a second six minutes later for the visitors, as Duisburg prop up the table as a result.
Werder Bremen lost ground on the top two after being held to a 1-1 draw by ten-man Wolfsburg.
Nelson Valdez gave visiting Werder the lead after six minutes, but Marian Hristov levelled matters for Wolfsburg on 23 minutes.
Despite Facundo Quiroga being sent off for serious foul play moments later, struggling Wolfsburg held for a valuable point.
Schalke came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Cologne, with Lukas Podolski handing Cologne the lead just before the break.
The Royal Blues earned a point with 10 minutes remaining through a strike from Zlatan Bajramovic.
Bayer Leverkusen are fifth after a 2-1 win over ten-man Borussia Monchengladbach, with Bayer taking the lead through Simon Rolfes on 11 minutes.
Gladbach were reduced to ten men after Dutchman Niels Oude Kamphuis was sent off for a second bookable offence on 37 minutes, but they levelled matters just after half time through Oliver Neuville.
It was Rolfes who proved Bayer's hero with six minutes remaining with his second goal of the match.
Hertha Berlin and Borussia Dortmund had to settle for a goalless draw, while Eintracht Frankfurt's clash with FSV Mainz also finished 0-0.
The Bavarians have seen their seemingly comfortable lead at the summit of Germany's top flight reduced in recent weeks, but Felix Magath's side kept their composure to claim three points at the Allianz Arena.
After a goalless first half, Chelsea target Michael Ballack broke the deadlock for Bayern on 69 minutes before the veteran Mehmet Scholl ended the scoring with a second four minutes later.
The win keeps Bayern four points clear of nearest rivals Hamburg, who kept pace with a 2-0 win at relegation-threatened MSV Duisburg.
A Uwe Mohrle own-goal gave Hamburg the lead on 24 minutes before the Brazilian Ailton scored a second six minutes later for the visitors, as Duisburg prop up the table as a result.
Werder Bremen lost ground on the top two after being held to a 1-1 draw by ten-man Wolfsburg.
Nelson Valdez gave visiting Werder the lead after six minutes, but Marian Hristov levelled matters for Wolfsburg on 23 minutes.
Despite Facundo Quiroga being sent off for serious foul play moments later, struggling Wolfsburg held for a valuable point.
Schalke came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Cologne, with Lukas Podolski handing Cologne the lead just before the break.
The Royal Blues earned a point with 10 minutes remaining through a strike from Zlatan Bajramovic.
Bayer Leverkusen are fifth after a 2-1 win over ten-man Borussia Monchengladbach, with Bayer taking the lead through Simon Rolfes on 11 minutes.
Gladbach were reduced to ten men after Dutchman Niels Oude Kamphuis was sent off for a second bookable offence on 37 minutes, but they levelled matters just after half time through Oliver Neuville.
It was Rolfes who proved Bayer's hero with six minutes remaining with his second goal of the match.
Hertha Berlin and Borussia Dortmund had to settle for a goalless draw, while Eintracht Frankfurt's clash with FSV Mainz also finished 0-0.
