Bayern Munich rolled past Hannover 5-1 yesterday in the Bundesliga but the defending champions could not gain ground on leaders Hertha Berlin, who saw Andrey Voronin score a hat trick in a tough 3-1 victory at Energie Cottbus.

Both Bayern and Hertha fell behind early before rallying.

"The team is playing well right now and getting me some good balls to score," Voronin said. "But this sport is a team game. And we win together."

Hertha remain atop the Bundesliga with 46 points through 23 rounds but now have a four-point lead over the next four teams, including Bayern, who jumped from fifth to sit tied with Hoffenheim in second.

Hoffenheim also have 42 points after a scoreless draw at home against Werder Bremen. The two normally high-scoring teams had plenty of chances, however, and Hoffenheim striker Boubacar Sanogo struck the post three times.

Wolfsburg have 42 points as well after earning an efficient 1-0 victory at Karlsruhe, thanks to Edin Dzeko 38th-minute winner.

Hamburg fell from second to fifth with 42 points after a 4-1 thrashing at Borussia Moenchengladbach, who moved out of last place and were replaced by Karslruhe.

Stuttgart are three points behind the quartet after a 2-1 victory at home against Borussia Dortmund.

Bayern Munich lined up several chances early on but it was Hannover who took the lead in the 15th minute through Jiri Stanjer.

But Daniel van Buyten levelled the game just five minutes later with a header and Miroslav Klose gave Bayern the lead with another header in the 25th. Hamit Altintop made it 3-1 on a counter attack in the 34th.

Bayern continued its push forward late and Lukas Podolski (73rd) and Martin Demichelis (89th) both added header goals to help ease the pressure on coach Juergen Klinsmann.

"We knew we had to win," Klinsmann said. "We know the standings. But the atmosphere is good. We just played easy and were patient against the defensive team. ... The title is still our goal and we will not let up. But there are other teams up there as well playing the music, so it will remain exciting."