Hoffenheim's Christoph Baumgartner, left, and Bremen's Romano Schmid fight for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen in Sinsheim, Germany, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)
The Associated Press
SINSHEIM, Germany (AP) - Bundesliga top-scorer Niclas Füllkrug converted a much-disputed late penalty to give Werder Bremen a 2-1 win at Hoffenheim on Friday.
Füllkrug scored from the spot in the 88th minute to take his league-leading tally to eight from nine games and give promoted Bremen its second consecutive win.
Hoffenheim was hoping to go top ahead of the rest of the ninth round, but was to rue referee Benjamin Cortus' decision to penalize Stanley Nsoki for his challenge on Mitchell Weiser after consulting TV replays. They showed Nsoki made contact with Weiser's left foot, though the Bremen forward took another step forward before falling. There was a lengthy delay for the VAR check with opposing players arguing between themselves before Cortus was urged to check the replays for himself.
The visitors took an 18th-minute lead through Marvin Ducksch before Munas Dabbur equalized in the 33rd for Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim looked more likely to score in the second half but found Bremen goalkeeper Jiřà Pavlenka in outstanding form.
Füllkrug ensured Bremen moved to fourth.
Bayern Munich visits Borussia Dortmund for der Klassiker on Saturday, while league leader Union Berlin visits Stuttgart on Sunday.
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Bremen's Marvin Ducksch celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during the German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen in Sinsheim, Germany, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)
The Associated Press
Bremen's coach Ole Werner gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen in Sinsheim, Germany, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)
The Associated Press
Hoffenheim's Christoph Baumgartner, left, and Bremen's Mitchel Weiser fight for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen in Sinsheim, Germany, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)
The Associated Press
Hoffenheim's Munas Dabbur, second left, shoots past Bremen's goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka to make it 1:1 during the German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen in Sinsheim, Germany, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)
The Associated Press
Bremen's Niclas Füllkrug, center, fails to beat Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann during the German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen in Sinsheim, Germany, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)
The Associated Press
Bremen's Marvin Ducksch, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's first goal of the game during the German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen in Sinsheim, Germany, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)
The Associated Press