Bundesliga: Borussia Monchengladbach thrash Hertha Berlin 5-0
Borussia Monchengladbach jumped into the top four after cruising to a 5-0 over Hertha Berlin in the 28th round of Bundesliga football league.
Thorgan Hazard's brace helped Monchengladbach to secure their third straight win here on Sunday and the 14th victory of the season, reports Xinhua news agency.
From the kick-off, Monchengladbach staged a powerful performance to press Berlin on the defensive.
However, the opener came from a failed clearance of Berlin custodian Rune Jarstein that allowed Mahmoud Dadoud to tee up for midfielder Hazard, who slotted home from 15 metres.
Monchengladbach remained a steady threat for Berlin's defence but had to wait till the hour mark before Andre Hahn finished a combination via Fabian Johnson to double the lead.
Berlin were unable to put up some resistance although goalkeeper Jarstein denied a number of efforts from Monchengladbach. Nevertheless, Jarstein was hapless after substitute Patrick Herrmann poked home the third goal following a rebound in the 76th minute.
The third goal took the wind out of Berlin's sails. Monchengladbach weren't done with the scoring as Hazard wrapped his brace in the 80th minute before Ibrahima Traore made it 5-0 five minutes later.
"We played a good game. I am very satisfied. We would like to stay in the top four but wen know how difficult it is," Borussia Monchengladbach coach Andre Schubert said after the match.
"The 5-0 win for Monchengladbach is the right result as it reflects our performance. There is nothing to sugercoat," Hertha Berlin coach Pal Dardai said.
With the result, Monchengladbach climb on the fourth place with 45 points, only three points behind third-placed Berlin.
Elsewhere, Cologne were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation-threatened Hoffenheim.