A stunning performance from Daniel Didavi helped Stuttgart to make the along awaited climb out of the drop-zone, as they earned a 3-1 win against VfL Wolfsburg.

Incredible first half

It was a tense opening, given the Wolves' rotten run away from home and Stuttgart's generally miserable form, though it was the visitors who would open the scoring. Max Kruse's initial shot was well saved by Przemysław Tytoń but Daniel Caligiuri kept cool to wait and set up the incoming Maximilian Arnold. The midfielder finished off with aplomb, and it looked like it would be another dismal day at the office for the home side.

The home fans need not have worried, because Didavi was in the mood. The attacking midfielder has been linked with a move to Lower Saxony, and he'll have had the VW boss scrambling for the cheque book after this performance. Lukas Rupp exchanged passes with Didavi on the edge of the box, before the latter rifled a shot into the top left corner; Wolfburg were stunned.

That was an understatement when Christian Gentner started a counter-attack that would see them go ahead. He picked out Timo Werner down the right, and he did excellently to find Filip Kostic in the middle. The Serbian made no mistake from inside the area, and the Swabian support had lifted the roof off the Mercedes-Benz-Arena. It could have been even better for the hosts, although Diego Benaglio came up with some important saves to keep Wolfsburg in the match

It had all begun so well for the Wolves, but that was quickly forgotten. (Image credit: kicker - Getty Images)
It had all begun so well for the Wolves, but that was quickly forgotten. (Image credit: kicker - Getty Images)

Didavi strikes, Sunjic sent-off but Stuttgart hold on

Benaglio's efforts were rendered useless just two minutes after the break. Rupp was involved once more, playing in Florian Klein. The right-sided player then found Didavi, who connected perfectly with the ball to send it flying into the top left corner once more; different build-up, same result. Neither team could quite believe what was happening.

Both sides had their chances in the second half and Toni Sunjic's second yellow with 20 minutes still to play only made things more nervy as the game drew to a close. Stuttgart did, however, manage to protect their lead to jump out of the relegation places completely, much to the relief of their fans. For Wolfsburg, it could be a costly defeat; Dieter Hecking's men could be seventh by the time they take to the field again.