Ruthless Hamburg end year on a high at the Volksparkstadion

Efficient Hamburg pull away in second half

It was the guests who started the half strongly again, pressing their hosts back into their own final third and not relenting until the hour mark. The Hamburg box was peppered with corners and crosses, all hands on deck to head and slide the ball away, protecting Sven Ulreich from any efforts at goal, who was only called into action from Nikolas Nartey's shot from all of 25 yards. Sandhausen coach Michael Schiele will have been tearing his hair out as his charges were unable to make the most of their domination and conceded a second in the 67th minute with the Rothosen's first foray into the SVS half since the restart. Tim Leibold's deep cross could only be headed by Contento under pressure from Josha Vagnoman straight back to Simon Terodde on the penalty spot, who took one touch to settle himself and the second to hammer past Rick Wulle for his sixth (!) brace in twelve games.

The match continued to be very even, but the Rothosen were incredibly efficient in their attacking play, whilst Sandhausen were unable to make the most of their chances. The game was all but over in the 78th minute, David Kinsombi playing through to fellow substitute Amadou Onana, who used his pace to race through the middle of the Baden-Württemberger's defence and chip over the advancing Wulle, using the second HSV opportunity of the half for a second goal. The third goal demoralised the guests, who had been unable to get their just rewards for an energetic and courageous display, and were ultimately beaten by a highly efficient HSV team. Josha Vagnoman added insult to injury in stoppage time, heading in Bobby Wood's excellent chipped cross for his first goal of the season with the last touch of the game. Daniel Thioune's charges will hope to replicate the performance in the final game of the calendar year in Karlsruhe on Monday night (kick-off 8:30pm CET).