Anthony Ujah celebrates giving Bremen the lead in Mainz - © © gettyimages / Simon Hofmann
Anthony Ujah celebrates giving Bremen the lead in Mainz - © © gettyimages / Simon Hofmann

Bremen end losing streak with stunning six-minute spell

xwhatsappmailcopy-link

Mainz - SV Werder Bremen finally ended their five-game losing streak thanks to an explosive six-minute spell that helped Viktor Skripnik's side to a 3-1 victory against 1. FSV Mainz 05.

1. FSV Mainz 05 1-3 SV Werder Bremen

Goals: 0-1 (Ujah 39'), 0-2 (Ujah 43'), 0-3 (Bartels 45+3'), 1-3 (Muto 89')

Mainz were the better side in the opening half an hour, looking dangerous on the counter attack and creating several half chances through intelligent build-up play. Yunus Malli had a good strike blocked in the area, but Bremen held firm otherwise.

With 40 minutes played, the visitors finally hit their stride, taking the lead when Loris Karius misjudged a cross from Santiago Garcia, allowing Anthony Ujah to head into an empty net. The Nigerian doubled the lead moments later, tapping in from close range after another cross from Garcia. Fin Bartels then made it 3-0 in first-half injury time after a delightful combination between Jannik Vestergaard and Florian Grillitsch.

Mainz came out fighting in the second half, with Werder allowing their opponents far too much space, although the hosts' numerous chances came to nothing. Despite pressure and wave after wave of crosses, Mainz simply could not get close enough to the Bremen goal to worry Felix Wiedwald, until Yoshinori Muto grabbed his side a late consolation.

Man of the match

With his two goals, Ujah gave Bremen their first points in six games. Though quiet for large periods, he showed classic poacher's instincts, striking ruthlessly to stun his former club at the end of the first half.

Talking point

While the Green-Whites were passive in stages, Ujah and Bartels' link-up play - as well as a first win in six - will give the side plenty to build on heading into next week's clash with Borussia Dortmund.

Match stats

    Mainz
      All of Yoshinori Muto’s three Bundesliga goals have come against sides from northern Germany (two versus Hannover 96).Three of Ujah’s four goals for Bremen have come from crosses.Ujah’s only previous Bundesliga brace came from Mainz (versus VfB Stuttgart in November 2011).

Line-ups

Mainz: Karius – Balogun, Bungert, Bell, Jara – Moritz (Bengtsson 69'), Baumgartlinger, Latza (De Blasis 37')– Jairo, Malli - Muto

Bremen: Wiedwald – Gebre Selassie, Vestergaard, Galvez, S. Garcia (U. Garcia 75') – Bargfrede – Fritz (Eggestein 88'), Junuzovic – Bartels, Grillitsch – Ujah (Pizarro 82')