Nurnberg bag vital points at Bremen

Nurnberg created some much-needed space between themselves and the relegation zone with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Werder Bremen, secured by Alexander Esswein's 65th-minute goal. The visitors have picked up two victories and a draw in their last three games for 28 points overall, just eight points from the relegation zone. Werder Bremen, meanwhile, had their five-game unbeaten run snapped to remain on 36 points in their fight for the UEFA Europa League spots. Nurnberg had the first chance of the game after 29 minutes, but Jens Hegeler's shot went wide of the right-hand post. The visitors were close again nine minutes later, but Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese made a spectacular save from Tomas Pekhart's header. Bremen nearly grabbed the lead two minutes before the break as Claudio Pizarro's lofted shot went just inches wide. They continued their curious relationship with the woodwork this season as Pizarro hit the left post from a tight angle in the 49th minute. Bremen missed a great chance in the 62nd minute with Pizarro feeding a superb ball to Marko Marin, whose left-footed shot went just inches wide of the right-hand post. Nurnberg made the hosts pay for their failure to convert their chances as they took the lead after 65 minutes. Hegeler's pass from the right side came all the way through to the left side to Esswein, who struck an angled shot back to the far right post. Bremen had one final chance in the 90th minute, but Adam Housek cleared Pizarro's shot off the goal-line.