体坛英语新闻：Bayern claim fifth straight win

BERLIN, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- German champions Bayern Munich claimed their fifth straight win after they overcame Schalke 04 2-1 away on Sunday, while "village club" Hoffenheim were knocked down by Hertha Berlin from the top of Bundesliga standings.

    With the three points, Bayern stay in third place at the Bundesliga standings, but they're now just a single point behind both Leverkusen and Hoffenheim.

Schalke 04's Jefferson Farfan (R) and Bayern Munich's Martin Demichelis head a ball during their German Bundesliga soccer match in Gelsenkirchen November 9, 2008

Schalke lost for the first time in six matches and dropped down to sixth place.

    The sold-out Veltins Arena had seen a spectacular start: Italian striker Luca Toni, back from injury, fired Bayern into a third-minute lead after good work by Mark van Bommel.

    Schalke were not exactly shocked, and Jefferson Farfan equalized for the hosts just two minutes later.

    The hosts were the better team in the following minutes, and Bayern were limited to defending. Both Ivan Rakitic and Jermaine Jones had opportunities to fire Schalke into the lead in the first half.

    However, it was the visitors who scored next. French international Franck Ribery played a sensational one-two with Ze Roberto before firing home from seven meters with 31 minutes to go.

    That proved to be the winner as Schalke failed to create any meaningful chances against a well-organized Bayern defence.

    Also on Sunday, Hertha BSC Berlin stopped Hoffenheim's winning run, knocking the promoted team off the Bundesliga summit.

    Hoffenheim, who had previously celebrated five wins in a row, lost 1-0 in Berlin and dropped down to second place in the standings due to goal difference shy of Leverkusen, which tied Karlsruhe 3-3 a day earlier.

    In Frankfurt, a late goal by German striker Mario Gomez spared Stuttgart's blushes in the 2-2 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.