Hamburger SV and Borussia Mönchengladbach produced an entertaining affair for the 52.501 spectators in the Hamburger Volksparkstadion on matchday 24 of the Bundesliga.
Andreas Christensen fired Gladbach in front after 22 minutes but HSV gradually increased the pressure on the visitors and finally took the lead following goals from Filip Kostic and Bobby Wood.
Their fourth win in their last five home games means a hugely important three points for HSV in the relegation battle. The side from north Germany remain in 16th and the relegation play-off place but draw level with Wolfsburg and Bremen on 26 points. VfL beat RB Leipzig in a surprising win on Saturday, while Bremen came away with a point in Leverkusen after saving a last-gasp penalty.
FC Augsburg now find themselves right in the middle of the battle to stay up in the Bundesliga. Manuel Baum’s team lost 3-0 away at FC Schalke 04 and now have just a two-point cushion over Hamburg with 28 points.
Gladbach take the lead
Despite Hamburg controlling the early stages of the game, Gladbach took the lead after 22 minutes when Christensen’s header from an Oscar Wendt free-kick powered its way off the post and into the back of the net. The hosts started to pile on the pressure and eventually rewarded themselves when Kostic found the target with a header after 36 minutes.
It was clear for all to see that Gladbach struggled without the presence of Lars Stindl (hip problem, Raffael (out with illness) and the suspended Thorgan Hazard. Nevertheless Drmic had a superb chance to put the Fohlenelf back into the lead after some great play from Patrick Herrmann in the 41st minute but he could not connect and Herrmann’s rebound was brilliantly saved by Adler.
Gladbach fought hard in the second half but once the match hit the hour mark, it was all HSV. Sommer forced a shot from Wood into the side-netting and was also there to keep it out after a stunning long-range strike from Gotoku Sakai. Gladbach struggled to relieve the pressure and consequently conceded their second goal of the afternoon. Kostic whipped in a fierce cross from the left-hand side and Tony Jantschke got the flick on to find Wood, who skilfully avoided the challenge from the defender and smashed home from five yards to give the home side a deserved victory.