Stuttgart move up to third in Bundesliga after heavy home win over Hamburg

As expected, the in-form Stuttgart team controlled the opening stages, as Deniz Undav sent their initial attempt marginally over from the edge of the penalty area.

Fabio Balde missed the target from a comparable distance during a scarce chance for Hamburg, yet Stuttgart soon went in front.

Jamie Leweling quickly influenced proceedings upon returning to the starting eleven by spotting Angelo Stiller inside the box, who then fired first-time into the bottom corner.

The Reds had triumphed in seven of their prior eight home league matches after opening the scoring this term (D1), creating strong anticipation of a straightforward victory.

Hamburgs most promising moment in the opening period came via Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorffer, whose threatening effort was diverted aside by Alexander Nubel.

To the visitors dismay, Stuttgart extended their lead moments later, with Ermedin Demirovic assisting Chris Fuhrich, who delivered another tidy strike into the bottom corner.

Demirovic nearly sealed the outcome before the interval, but following a skilful individual effort the ball drifted just beyond the upright. This might have amplified stern discussions in the Hamburg locker room during the break, although Stuttgart remained the more probable scorers.

Daniel Heuer Fernandes made two superb stops in rapid succession, initially thwarting Maximilian Mittelstadt from near range, then parrying a forceful shot from Undav outside the box.

The home side nearly suffered for failing to extend their advantage, as Rayan Philippe nodded just wide, yet they secured a third goal before the hour elapsed, with Fuhrich supplying Mittelstadt on the fringes of the area, and the ball nestled into the bottom corner once more.

Mittelstadt was then prevented from netting a swift second via a hazardous free-kick that Fernandes had to tip away, before Demirovic believed he had embellished the score with a superb effort ruled out for offside.

Undav enjoyed an even clearer opportunity to widen the margin from twelve yards, but he unusually skied it over the bar.

Bilal El Khannouss avoided that error however, netting the fourth with help from a ricochet from just beyond the area after Tiago Tomas released him into open space.

Stuttgart proved far too powerful on their home turf once again, having now prevailed in six of the most recent seven encounters at the MHP Arena without defeat.