Defending champions Wolfsburg remained among the Bundesliga leaders with a hard-earned 2-1 victory at fellow contenders Hoffenheim.

Hoffenheim came into the game undefeated at home and Vedad Ibisevic gave them the lead after 23 minutes.

But Zvjezdan Misimovic equalised in the 52nd minute and Grafite put Wolfsburg ahead five minutes later.

Both teams showed plenty of respect for each other and the first dangerous situation came after seven minutes as Misimovic found Grafite with plenty of space but the Brazilian could not find the target from seven yards.

Wolfsburg appealed for a penalty in the 22nd minute as Hoffenheim goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand took down Grafite in the area but the referee refused to point to the spot.

And Hoffenheim grabbed the lead just a minute later with Maicosuel's long cross from the right being headed home from nine yards by Ibisevic, who was quicker to the ball than Sascha Riether.

The hosts nearly doubled their lead after 28 minutes but Maicosuel's 13-yard shot went just wide.

Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio was lucky just seconds before the interval as Sejad Salihovic's free-kick from 18 yards blasted off the right post.

The guests equalised seven minutes after the break through Misimovic, who volleyed home from Riether's pass.

Grafite gave Wolfsburg the lead in the 57th minute after Hoffenheim lost a ball on the left wing. Marcel Schfer crossed into the area where Edin Dzeko chested down to Grafite, whose shot was deflected past Hildebrand.

Wolfsburg remained the stronger side and looked for another goal but Dzeko was just wide after 68 minutes and Grafite headed just left five minutes later.

Dzeko even missed an empty goal a minute from time but Wolfsburg had done enough for the win.