Hamburg held at home to Schalke

BERLIN, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Hamburg SV edged back top of the Bundesliga with a 1-1 draw at home to Schalke 04 on Sunday, but the result will have cheered struggling champions Bayern Munich more than anyone.

Piotr Trochowski put Hamburg ahead in a first half they dominated but Schalke equalised straight after the break through defender Benedikt Hoewedes.

A draw means Hamburg reclaim the league leadership with 17 points from eight matches, one clear of Hoffenheim after the wealthy village team enjoyed a 5-2 win at Hanover on Saturday.

Hamburg will nevertheless be frustrated at missing a chance to go seven points clear of their three most serious title rivals.

As it is, Schalke move up to sixth on 13 points, while Werder Bremen and Bayern are a point further back in 10th and 11th respectively.

Werder drew 3-3 at home to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, while Bayern had a late strike from Miroslav Klose to thank for a 1-0 win at Karlsruhe.

Considering that it was a first win in four Bundesliga matches, Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann can be quietly pleased that they are only five points behind the leaders.

MIDFIELD MISTAKE

Hamburg were much the better team for the first half against Schalke and they took the lead with around half an hour gone.

David Jarolim stole the ball from Orlando Engelaar in midfield and played in Trochowski to shoot across the keeper and in from the left.

Schalke nicked an equaliser when Hoewedes headed home from a free kick and Kevin Kuranyi missed a good chance to put the visitors in front when he headed over the bar from another free kick soon afterwards.

Hamburg were soon back in control but they had few clear chances to reclaim the lead in an unmemorable match.