Schalke throw away lead in Ruhr derby

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BERLIN, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Careless Schalke 04 led by three goalsbut ended up having to settle for a 3-3 draw at Ruhr rivals BorussiaDortmund after a frantic finale on Saturday.
Schalke,who had two players sent off amid the Dortmund fightback, lost theleague leadership in Germany along with their big lead as Hamburg SVcompleted a great fightback of their own to win 3-2 at home to BayerLeverkusen.
Bayern Munich enjoyed a far more leisurely afternoon as twogoals from Italian striker Luca Toni set them on their way totheir second successive Bundesliga win, 3-0 away to Cologne.Lukas Podolski got the third goal, against his former club.
With four matches played, Hamburg lead with 10 points,followed by Bayern, Schalke and Dortmund on eight.
On a day of great attacking football in Germany, the placeto be was Dortmund's Westfalenstadion where 80,000 fans roaredthe home side to a draw they will savour more than many a win.
Schalke took the lead when the referee decided Neven Subotichad handled in the area, giving Peru striker Jefferson Farfanthe chance to step up and mark his debut with a penalty.
Rafinha rifled in a second for Schalke after a swift breakdown the right towards the end of the half and HeikoWestermann's header made it 3-0 nine minutes after the break.
Dortmund gave themselves a lifeline when Subotic atoned forhis error in defence with a powerful header in the 67th minute.
Alex Frei then struck from long range to make it 3-2 andSchalke made life harder for themselves when Christian Panderpicked up a needless second booking and Fabian Ernst followedhim off four minutes later for a horrendous late tackle.
There were still 13 minutes to go but Schalke might haveheld on but for a very harsh handball decision that left Freifree to lash in the equalising penalty a minute from time.
It was a desperate end to the match for Schalke keeper RalfFaehrmann, who was making his debut at the age of 19.
The result meant Hamburg got full value for their 3-2 win athome to Leverkusen, who had looked good for a 2-0 lead courtesyof Tranquillo Barnetta and Patrick Helmes, the latter supplyinga neat chip to finish off a quick break from deep.
Paolo Guerrero's header reduced the arrears and Hamburg wereright back in it when Leverkusen had Manuel Friedrich sent offfive minutes before the break.
Ivica Olic drilled in the equaliser after the restart andMladen Petric sent Hamburg top with a tap-in in the 72nd minute.
"Getting one back before the break was key," said Hamburgcoach Martin Jol. "I knew then it was possible."