Hertha and Bremen share spoils on Steinhaus' refereeing debut

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Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen played out a 1-1 draw in the capital on Sunday, a match in which Bibiana Steinhaus became the first female referee to take charge of a Bundesliga match.

Hertha 1-1 Bremen

Goals: 1-0 Leckie (38'), 1-1 Delaney (59')

Bremen began the game strongly on a sunny September afternoon in the capital, enjoying more possession and making most of the early running. Pal Dardai has moulded Hertha into a gnarly, competitive unit, however, and they were largely untroubled defensive in the first half. Chances were rare but the hosts made the breakthrough when a defensive error was seized upon and Mathew Leckie lashed in the loose ball after an excellent advantage was played by debutant referee Steinhaus.

Bremen could feel somewhat hard done by to be trailing at the break, but they stuck to their task in the second period and were level just shy of the hour mark, as Thomas Delaney arrowed in a smart effort. Vedad Ibisevic and Valentin Stocker both went close to a winner for the home side, but Bremen were decent value for their point.

Man of the match

The game one was of attrition for long periods but Bremen's Delaney showed why he has been handed the captain's armband this season, leading by example and earning his team's first point of the season.

Match stats

    Leckie has now scored three goals in three games, after going 30 matches without scoring for Ingolstadt in the Bundesliga last term.The Australian was in fact the least successful forward in the league last season, failing to score from 49 shots on goal.Delaney has scored all five of his Bundesliga goals away from home.The Dane's goal ensured Werder became the last Bundesliga side to score this season.Salomon Kalou came off the bench to make his 100th appearance for Hertha.

Line-ups

Hertha Berlin: Jarstein - Weiser, Langkamp, Rekik, Plattenhardt - Stark, Skjelbred - Leckie, Darida (Stocker 71'), Esswein (Kalou 66') - Ibisevic (c)
Coach: Pal Dardai

Werder Bremen: Pavlenka – Bauer, Sane, Veljkovic – Gebre Selassie, Kainz (Bargfrede 82'), M. Eggestein (Gondorf 90'), Delaney (c), Augustinsson – Kruse, Bartels (Belfodil 87')
Coach: Alexander Nouri

Watch: Bibiana Steinhaus looking forward to normality after making Bundesliga history!

Click here for the Hertha vs. Bremen Match Centre!