Gladbach's Hazard strikes to beat Bremen
A first-half goal from Thorgan Hazard maintained Borussia Mönchengladbach's unbeaten start under Dieter Hecking and condemned SV Werder Bremen to a fourth straight loss.
SV Werder Bremen 0-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Goals: 0-1 Hazard (12')
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Gladbach had previously failed to score in the first half during coach Hecking’s reign at the club but the visitors put that right just 12 minutes into this contest. Christoph Kramer’s slick pass released Thorgan Hazard and the Belgian ran unchecked into the Bremen area before firing across Felix Wiedwald to score his fifth Bundesliga goal of the campaign. The hosts quickly rallied and should have drawn level when Fin Bartels expertly turned Jannik Vestergaard and found himself with only Yann Sommer to beat. The Swiss stopper stood firm, however, saving the subsequent shot to keep Gladbach ahead. The Foals almost doubled their lead as the half progressed, with Andre Hahn meeting Patrick Herrmann’s centre with a shot into the ground that nicked the crossbar.
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Seeking to inflict a fourth successive defeat in 2017 upon a beleaguered Bremen, Gladbach chased a second goal after the restart with Hahn’s drilled effort stinging the palms of Felix Wiedwald. Bremen coach Alexander Nouri had introduced striker Claudio Pizarro at the break in an attempt to level proceedings, yet a header at Sommer midway through the half was the best the Peruvian could muster. Aron Johannsson nodded over as Werder came again but Gladbach weren't to be denied a third straight win.
Man of the Match
A constant thorn in Bremen’s side, Hahn harried the locals and was potent in possession whenever Gladbach sprung in search of a second goal. When the 26-year-old was finally removed from the fray with ten minutes remaining, his efforts were rewarded by a firm hand-shake from coach Hecking.
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Talking Point
Bremen's worrying run is now a real cause for concern among fans at the Weser Stadium, with Alexander Nouri's charges having lost all four of their top-flight games since the turn of the year. A trip to 1. FSV Mainz 05 next weekend takes on added importance given Werder's lowly standing in the table.
Match Stats
- Borussia have won three in a row in the Bundesliga for the first time this season.Bremen are the only top-flight team in Germany yet to register a point in 2017.Dieter Hecking's record in his short time at Gladbach thus far reads: P4 W3 D1 L0
Line-ups:
Bremen: Wiedwald - Veljkovic (Gebre Selassie '46), Sane, Moisander - Delaney - Bauer, Gnabry (Johannson '80), Junuzovic, Garcia (Pizarro '46) - Bartels, Kruse
Coach: Alexander Nouri
Gladbach: Sommer – Jantschke, Christensen, Vestergaard, Wendt – Johnson, Kramer, Dahoud (Schulz '85) – Hahn (Strobl '80), Hazard, Herrmann (Drmic '71)
Coach: Dieter Hecking
Watch: Hazard is feeling confident after two goals in as many games for Gladbach!: