09.04.2023 19:36 h

Stuttgart beat Bochum to climb from Bundesliga bottom spot

Stuttgart's resurgence under new coach Sebastian Hoeness continued on Sunday with a 3-2 win at Bochum to move up from last place in the Bundesliga table.

Goals from Hiroki Ito, Serhou Guirassy and Josha Vagnoman took Stuttgart to victory, their second win since Hoeness was appointed manager on Tuesday, including a German Cup quarter-final victory over Nuremberg.

The win took them up to 16th, the relegation play-off spot, leapfrogging Hertha Berlin and Schalke.

Before the match, Stuttgart had won just one of their previous 12 in the league.

Iko gave his side the best possible start, pouncing on a poor clearance from Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann, slamming home to give the visitors an early lead.

Bochum equalised midway through the second half when Kevin Stoeger converted a penalty, but Stuttgart regained the lead just 90 seconds later.

Borna Sosa swung in a swerving cross from the left flank, which found Guirassy a metre from goal.

Stuttgart added another just three minutes later, Vagnoman heading in from close range.

Bochum's Philipp Hofmann scored with five minutes remaining to give the home fans hope of a comeback, but Stuttgart held on for a crucial victory.

Bochum, who had claimed seven of a possible nine points in their past three games, now sit three points clear of 16th-placed Stuttgart.

Earlier on Sunday, goals from Nathan Ngoumou and Marcus Thuram earned Borussia Moenchengladbach a 2-0 home win over Wolfsburg, dampening the visitors' hopes of European football next season.

Gladbach's first win in six matches ended Wolfsburg's five-match unbeaten run, leaving the visitors four points behind the European places.

Wolfsburg dominated early but it was Gladbach who would open the scoring, Ngoumou finishing off a team move well against the run of play.

With 34 minutes gone, Ngoumou latched onto a cutback from France striker Thuram and blasted past Wolfsburg 'keeper Koen Casteels for the opener.

Gladbach doubled their lead midway through the second half, Ngoumou turning provider this time, linking with Alassane Plea who found Thuram in the box.

Thuram headed in for his 13th goal of the season, taking him three behind leader Niclas Fuellkrug atop the Bundesliga scoring charts.

Despite the win, Gladbach remain mired in mid-table in former Norwich City manager Daniel Farke's first season in charge.

Wolfsburg coach Niko Kovac, also in his first year at the club, lamented his side "not putting up a fight" after going 2-0 down.

Later on Sunday, last-placed Schalke travel to Hoffenheim in the final fixture of the matchday.