Bayern edge clear with draw in Berlin

Bayern Munich edged a point clear at the top of the Bundesliga after drawing 0-0 away to Hertha Berlin yesterday.

Bayern, looking to take full advantage of surprise defeats for Schalke 04 and VfB Stuttgart on Saturday, dominated the second half at the rebuilt Olympic Stadium but could not find a way past Hertha keeper Christian Fiedler.

A draw gave Bayern 38 points from 19 matches and put a little daylight between them and second-placed Schalke, who have 37 points after losing 2-0 at FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday.

Stuttgart are third on 34 points following their 4-2 defeat at home to FC Nuremberg, with Bayer Leverkusen in fourth after winning 4-0 at home to VfL Bochum.

Champions Werder Bremen moved up to fifth as they held on to beat Hansa Rostock 3-2 yesterday.

Werder took a 2-0 lead with goals from Ivan Klasnic and Miroslav Klose before a David Rasmussen header brought Rostock back into the game just before half-time.

Klasnic scored again to restore Werder's two-goal lead in the 62nd minute but three minutes later Thomas Rasmussen brought the visitors back once again and Werder had to survive a nervous closing spell against the bottom club.

Referee pulled from game to avoid suspicion

German referee Juergen Jansen was pulled from the match between Werder Bremen and Hansa Rostock as a precaution after he was named in connection with the country's betting scandal.

Germany's FA said Jansen was not under suspicion of involvement in the affair, which centres around referee Robert Hoyzer and his admission that he fixed matches.

Jansen was mentioned by Hoyzer and was withdrawn on the morning of the game to avoid exposing him to any suspicion, DFB spokesman Harald Stenger said.