BERLIN, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- German village club Hoffenheim returned to the top of Bundesliga standings thanks to their first-ever win against Koeln on Saturday, while defending champion Bayern started to cast their eyes on championship after sweeping Cottbus 4-1. Hoffenheim, a newly-elevated club that had dominated German top league regularly this season, ran out 3-1 winners in Koeln on Saturday.

Hoffenheim are now three points ahead of Leverkusen and Bayern to take the first place of the standings.

Hoffenheim had started the match the better side, with Matthias Jaissle and Sejad Salihovic going close.

The host grew stronger as the match progressed, and Milivoje Novakovic was unlucky not to open the scoring after 26 minutes when his shot hit the post.

Hoffenheim were more clinical, and Demba Ba opened the scoring with his seventh goal of the seasons just six minutes later.

The second half started even more colorful as referee Deniz Aytekin sent off two players inside just three minutes.

Koeln's Kevin McKenna was shown a straight red for a nasty tackling against Salihovic, Hoffenheim's Luis Gustavo picked up his second booking soon after.

The ten men from Hoffenheim doubled their advantage midway through the second half when goalgetter Vedad Ibisevic scored a typical poacher's goal.

Petit pulled one back for Koeln in the 78th minute, but Ibisevic made sure of the win for Hoffenheim with his 16th goal ofthe season two minutes from time.

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