Ballack ends Bayern Munich's blues in German Cup win

Agencies, Berlin

Michael Ballack set up both goals on Wednesday as Bayern Munich pulled out of its deep slump with a 2-1 victory against Hannover 96 in the German Cup.

Defending champion Schalke also routed fellow Bundesliga side Moenchengladbach 5-0 with Danish forward Ebbe Sand collecting a hat-trick in the second round matches.

The Germany midfielder was fouled in the 56th minute in the box, setting up Hasan Salihamidzic's conversion from the spot in front of just 8,000 spectators on a freezing evening at Munich's Olympiastadion.

Just two minutes later, Ballack's pass set up Roque Santa Cruz for the second goal.

"Of course I'm happy to finally leave the pitch again as a winner," said Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. "Michael Ballack was the driving force."

Bayer Leverkusen avenged a loss to Stuttgart in the Bundesliga Saturday, blasting the club 3-0 behind two goals by Germany player Daniel Bierofka.

In London, Premier League sides Tottenham, Middlesbrough, Leeds and West Ham were knocked out in the third round of the League Cup on Wednesday by non-Premier League clubs.

First-division Burnley upset Tottenham 2-1 and Ipswich, relegated from the Premier League after last season, hammered Middlesbrough 3-1. Tottenham was the finalist last season in the competition, losing to Blackburn.

Leeds' stumbling season continued as first-division Sheffield United scored twice in the final minutes for a 2-1 victory. West Ham lost 1-0 to second-division Oldham as Carlo Corazzin got the winner in the 42nd minute.

Arsenal also bowed out of the competition, but did so against Premier League Sunderland 3-2. It was the first win at Sunderland for new coach Howard Wilkinson.

League Cup defending champion Blackburn edged through with a 5-4 victory on penalties over first-division Walsall. The match was tied 2-2 after 30 minutes of extra time.

Premier League leader Liverpool defeated Southampton 3-1 in a match between top-flight sides. Aston Villa also had an easy time with third-division Oxford, winning 3-0.

In Rome, League leader Inter Milan stretched its unbeaten league run to eight games in Italy after edging Empoli 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller to stay firmly on top of Serie A on Wednesday.

A lucky 89th minute goal from Rivaldo gave AC Milan a 1-0 win over Udinese at the San Siro.

Reigning champion Juventus remain in third after sneaking a 1- 0 win at Piacenza thanks to Czech international Pavel Nedved's 70th minute strike.

Fourth-placed Lazio kept the pace with a 3-0 win at Reggina, while AS Roma returned to winning ways by edging Como 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico where captain Francesco Totti scored the winner.

In Madrid, third division Alicante came back from 3-1 down in extra-time to beat Spanish champion Valencia 5-4 on penalties and provide the shock of the night in the second round of the King's Cup on Wednesday.

Two other top flight sides suffered defeats, Athletic Bilbao losing 2-1 to third division Real Union de Irun and Malaga going down 2-0 to second division leaders Xerez.

European champion Real Madrid had no problems, moving smoothly through to the third round as what was virtually a reserve side won 4-0 away to second division Real Oviedo.

Cup holder Deportivo Coruna won through to the last 16 on Tuesday with a 4-3 success at local rival Racing Ferrol.