Max Kruse stole the show by scoring three of Wolfsburg's four goals in a convincing win over Hoffenheim - © © gettyimages / Ronny Hartmann/Bongarts
Max Kruse stole the show by scoring three of Wolfsburg's four goals in a convincing win over Hoffenheim - © © gettyimages / Ronny Hartmann/Bongarts

Kruse hits hat-trick as Wolves beat Hoffenheim

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Wolfsburg - VfL Wolfsburg forward Max Kruse scored a maiden career hat-trick to fire the Wolves to a 4-2 victory at home to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Saturday.

VfL Wolfsburg 4-2 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

Goals: 1-0 Kruse (1'), 2-0 Dost (9'), 2-1 Toljan (29', 2-2 Schmid (54'), 3-2 Kruse (62'), 4-2 Kruse (83')

Wolfsburg began furiously and took the lead inside the first minute when Julian Draxler skipped down the left wing and teed up Max Kruse to slot home. Not content to stop there, the Wolves continued to push forward and grabbed a deserved second shortly afterwards when Draxler’s cross from the left found Bas Dost unmarked at the back post, and the Dutch forward made no mistake from close range.

The hosts should have extended their lead further, but Dost and Kruse, among others, squandered good chances to do so. They were punished for that when sloppy defending allowed Hoffenheim full-back Jeremy Toljan to charge forward and reduce the deficit with a fierce drive. Jonathan Schmid grabbed an equalizer for the visitors early in the second half, but Kruse struck twice to seal the victory for the Wolves and extend their unbeaten home streak this season.

Man of the match

There could only really be one candidate for this award: Max Kruse. Not only did the 27-year-old score the decisive opener, he was lively throughout, gliding across the pitch to help out in attack and defence, and was justly rewarded with a hat-trick and the matchball as a souvenir.

Talking point

The result extended Wolfsburg’s astonishing recent record at home to 27 games without defeat. This season they have won four and drawn one in the Bundesliga at the Volkswagen Arena.

Match stats

    Dost’s goal was his sixth this season – all of which have been scored at the Volkswagen Arena.Kruse’s opener was his first ever Bundesliga goal for Wolfsburg. It was also the first time he has ever scored inside the first minute.Toljan scored his maiden Bundesliga goal in his 20th top-flight outing.

Line-ups:

Wolfsburg: Benaglio – Träsch, Naldo, Dante, Rodriguez – Gustavo (Arnold 87’), Guilavogui – Caligiuri, Kruse, Draxler (Vieirinha 67’) – Dost (Schürrle 79’)

Hoffenheim: Baumann – Kaderabeck (Kim 22’), Süle, Bicakcic, Toljan – Rudy (Uth 84’), Strobl, Polanski, Schmid – Vargas (Szalai 84’), Volland