Hamburg recorded a much needed victory away at relegation rivals Paderborn this evening scoring three goals in the process, having netted just 9 through 18 before this game.
The visitors got the perfect start as, straight from kick off, Marcell Jansen found himself bearing down on goal. He was brought down by Patrick Ziegler, and the penalty was awarded by referee Gagelmann, and on the replay it was the correct decision without question.
Captain Rafa van der Vaart stepped up and sent Kruse the wrong way, meaning HSV had the lead after just two minutes, giving Zinnbauer's men the perfect start.
The penalty was recorded as eight seconds into the game, however that does not break the Bundesliga record, held by Hamburg ironically in 1996.
However, the good early start didn't settle the Rothosen, and Paderborn responded well up until half time. Stoppelkamp was dangerous on the left side and particularly cutting in, shooting just wide in the ninth minute.
In the 19th minute, there was a moment of panic as a ball from Koc on the right wasn't dealt with convincingly by Drobny, and Stoppelkamp unleashed a shot just a minute later adding to the warning signs for Hamburg.
From the shot, HSV broke away, and the move culminated with Stieber finding Müller three yards out from the byline, but his shot was well blocked by Brückner.
It was clear that Hamburg weren't used to the winning feeling, and further efforts followed before the break from the hosts including a corner headed over by Bakalorz and a chance for Kachunga as Marcos struggled on the left side.
Stieber had a glimmer of an opportunity in the 37th minute as he dribbled forward before unleashing a drive from the left edge of the box that whistled past the far right post by a matter of inches.
Nevertheless, HSV went in leading at the break, something which will have given the team much needed confidence.
The first real action of the second half saw a Jansen shot from 20 yards tipped over by Kruse for a corner, which Westermann headed over. Then, up at the other end, Paderborn could have easily levelled when Kachunga lofted the ball over the advancing Drobny, but it hit the bar and Djourou cleared.
A major incident in the 62nd minute saw a penalty appeal from Paderborn turned down. Kachunga drove into the box and fell to the ground after clear shirt pulling from Marcos, but the referee waved the claims away.
The next goal was crucial, and it went to Hamburg in the 72nd minute courtesy of Jansen, who was one of the most influential players on the night along with Stieber.
'Cello' showed the composure required on the edge of the area to power a shot low into the right of the goal, past a despairing Kruse, to make it 2-0 and send the visiting fans into delirium.
Towards the end of the game, HSV showed the discipline needed to see out the game, the pinnacle being a 25 pass move in the 85th minute, unheard of given the way the side has played recently.
The game was well and truly sealed in the first minute of stoppage time, the ball knocked down for Stieber to sweetly strike into the roof of the net for a deserved goal.
A much needed three points for the Dino, who move up to 13th in the table, while Paderborn (having been leapfrogged by HSV) slip to 14th, having lost their last two games by an aggregate of 8-0.
