Sinsheim, Germany  - Hertha Berlin won 1-0 at slumping TSG Hoffenheim on Friday to keep their German Bundesliga football title hopes alive.

Patrick Ebert scored the winner in the 40th minute, taking up a pass from Marko Pantelic and beating goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand from a tight angle with a shot into the near right corner.

Hoffenheim dominated but failed to get the equalizer, with Hertha goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny saving twice from Sejad Salihovic and substitute Boubacar Sanogo heading against the crossbar.

"I am happy that we won, it was a very important victory. We didn't play well in the second half but we are in a good position now. This gives us a boost for the last five games," said Hertha general manager Dieter Hoeness.

Hertha improved to 55 points for second place as they overcame a recent slump of three straight defeats with a second win in a row. The winter break leaders Hoffenheim are stranded in eighth place as their winless run now stands at 11 matches.

VfL Wolfsburg lead the way with 57 points and seek a Bundesliga record 11th straight win in one season on Sunday at drop zone club Energie Cottbus.

Bayern Munich and SV Hamburg are locked on 54 points ahead of their Saturday games with Schalke 04 and at Borussia Dortmund, respectively. (dpa)