The big striker gets his marching orders for a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge.

Pléa comes off after a phenomenal performance which sees him score three and set up the other. A man-of-the-match performance from the Frenchman.

Surely that puts the game to bed now? Gladbach work the ball forward to Pléa on the left, just outside the area. The Frenchman sends an inswinger towards the far post and Kleindienst gets between defender and goalkeeper before poking it into the net. A proper poacher's finish for his 15th of the campaign.

With Omlin injured, the inexperienced Cardoso comes on between the sticks for Gladbach. This could be big for Bremen.

The visiting side make two changes of their own to add their own fresh legs into the game.

Gladbach work the ball down the right and feed Kleindienst, inside the box. The big man holds off his defender, takes a couple of smart touches and lays it off to Ngoumou, who shoots for the bottom right corner. But the goalkeeper parries it to safety.

The big playmaker lets fly from just outside the Bremen box but it sails over the bar. He's still searching for his first goal in more than a year, having last scored in February 2024.

Just one minute 44 seconds into the second half, the Foals are back on top. It's a lovely move too. Defence plays the ball into Hack, lurking between midfield and attack, and the forward knocks an inch-perfect pass between the Bremen defence into the path of Pléa, who takes a touch and rolls the ball beyond Zetterer.

The visitors get us underway. No changes for either side at the break.

Gladbach, camped deep inside their own half, steal the ball and counter. Pléa combines with Ngoumou on the halfway line before the ball is worked down the left flank. It's soon crossed into the area, where Ngoumou challenges. He loses out but it falls to Pléa at the back post and the Frenchman volleys home from close range. Lovely finish.

Ngoumou is slipped in down the right and has space to pick a cross but he hits the first man.

Hack whips in a free kick from the right wing, near the corner flag. He's aiming for the imposing presence of Kleindienst but it flies straight through a crowded penalty area and away from danger.

After taking an early lead, Gladbach enjoy a long spell of possession, working the ball menacingly across the field.

The Frenchman slots the ball coolly into the bottom left of the Bremen net from the penalty spot, following a shove in the box. Before today, Pléa had just started once in the past eight games, but states his case for more game time early on here. His seventh of the season.

Captain Veljković fells Hack fro behind in the box and hands Pléa a chance from 12 yards.

Gladbach look to play the ball up to Kleindienst in the early stages. The prolific striker has now gone three without scoring – he's never gone four without a goal for the Foals.