Stefan Kiessling: 'I didn't see phantom goal'

Bayer Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiessling has declared that he did not see the ball travel towards goal following his controversial winner in tonight's Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim.

Kiessling scored Leverkusen's second in the 2-1 victory under a cloud of confusion, with his header going through a hole in the side-netting before being wrongly awarded by referee Felix Brych.

Leverkusen went on to win the match despite fierce protests from Hoffenheim players, with Kiessling insisting that he was in no position to inform the official of his error.

He is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "I didn't really see it, I turned away but I was surprised to see the ball in. I didn't know how it got in."

Hoffenheim managing director Alexander Rosen has quickly declared that he will side will lodge an official appeal over the decision, asking for the match to be replayed.

He said: "It's a scandal. That was no goal, there are no two ways about it. We are definitely going to protest."

Sami Hyypia's side survived a late onslaught to claim a win which takes them top of the Bundesliga until at least tomorrow afternoon.