BERLIN, March 4: Hamburg SV beat Bayern Munich 2-1 on Saturday to hand the Bundesliga champions their first home defeat of the season that cut their lead at the top of the table to eight points.

Hamburg’s upset victory in a Bavarian snowstorm was their first win in Munich in 24 years. Hamburg, the only team to beat Bayern this season, also defeated Bayern at home in September, 2-0.

Hamburg’s Ivory Coast defender Guy Demel was left unmarked on the right side and fired a wicked shot from close range past Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn to open the scoring in the 16th minute.

Mehmet Scholl came off the bench to equalise for Bayern seven minutes from time before Nigel de Jong headed in a free kick in the 89th minute to put Hamburg back in front.

Bayern’s attack, which will need at least one goal in their Champions League showdown against AC Milan next week after a 1-1 draw in Munich last month, was neutralised by Hamburg’s compact defence as well as the deep mud on their own pitch.

Bayern lead the table on 58 points, eight clear of Werder Bremen, who drew 1-1 at Bayer Leverkusen, and Hamburg.

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