TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stormed into second place in the Bundesliga with a 4-1 (0-0) win against FSV Mainz 05, which had been decimated for a long time.
Andrej Kramaric in the 53rd minute, Grischa Prömel (69th), Munas Dabbur (80th) and Pavel Kaderabek (90th + 2) scored the goals on Saturday in front of 20,114 spectators for the victory of coach André Breitenreiter's team, which now has twelve has points.
Dominik Kohr (83rd) scored for the guests.
Mainz not only lost an away game for the first time this season, but also Alexander Hack.
The defender saw the red card just before the break.
For the Rheinhessen it was also the first defeat in Hoffenheim since February 2018. Mainz, who had previously won all previous away games this season, started energetically and could have taken the lead twice early through Jonathan Burkardt.
The U21 national player failed first to Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann (4th) and three minutes later missed after a cross from strike partner Karim Onisiwo.
Shortly thereafter, the first setback for the guests: After a rude foul by Kevin Akpoguma, Burkardt had to leave the field injured.
He was replaced by Delano Burgzorg, who was substituted again at half-time.
Hoffenheim slowly found their way into the game after 20 minutes because Mainz now withdrew a little.
Christoph Baumgartner (36') had the opportunity to take the lead, but the Austrian's header from seven meters just missed the goal.
Shortly before the end of the first half there was the first real excitement.
Hack knocked Hoffenheim striker Georginio Rutter to the ground in the penalty area and saw red for it. Referee Daniel Schlager also gave a penalty on the advice of the video assistant after he had initially decided on a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area.
However, Kramaric fired the penalty wide of the target, so that the break was goalless.
TSG had their next chance just 15 seconds after the restart, but Baumgartner's header didn't pose any problems for Robin Zentner in the visitors' goal.
A little later, Hoffenheim was able to celebrate for the first time: Rutter crossed into the middle, where Kramaric completed the side kick and thus ironed out his penalty mishap.
The hosts, outnumbered, let the ball and their opponents run and rewarded themselves with the second goal.
After preparatory work by Baumgartner, who acted conspicuously, Prömel scored with a low shot.
Substitute Dabbur followed up with a hoe, and Kaderabek set the goal in injury time, completing the scoring.