Bundesliga wrap: Bremen smash Hoffenheim

A hat-trick from Austrian winger Marko Arnautovic has inspired Werder Bremen to a 4-1 win over Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.

Arnautovic’s international team-mate Sebastian Prodl got Bremen going in the 21st minute of Sunday’s game, heading Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick over Hoffenheim goalkeeper Koen Casteels.

De Bruyne’s through-ball eight minutes later set up Arnautovic for his opening goal of the game as he burst into the box from his right wing to score.

Hoffenheim got back into the contest briefly in the second half when Sejad Salihovic scored five minutes after the break but Arnautovic restored Bremen’s two-goal cushion with a fine curling free-kick in the 73rd minute.

The 23-year-old Austrian attacker completed his hat-trick in brilliant fashion when he sprinted into the penalty area in the 79th minute, stopped and dragged the ball back onto his left foot, before curling his shot inside the fast post.

Bremen moved up to eight with the victory, while Hoffenheim, who have lost their past four matches, are 16th.

In the other Bundesliga match, Wolfsburg had Danish defender Simon Kjaer to thank for their 1-1 draw against Hamburg.

Maximilian Beister gave Hamburg the lead in the 26th minute thanks to an assist from striker partner Artoms Rudnevs but Kjaer’s header from Marcel Schafer’s cross with just over 20 minutes left ensured Wolfsburg grabbed a point at home.