Bundesliga: Hamburg 2 Hoffenheim 0

Hamburg piled more pressure on lowly Hoffenheim with a 2-0 win in the Bundesliga on Friday.

Latvian striker Artjoms Rudnevs bagged a brace, with goals in either half at the Imtech Arena, leaving Hoffenheim languishing in the relegation spots.

The appointment of new boss Frank Kramer after Markus Babbel’s sacking did little to lift Hoffenheim’s spirits with the defence still a major concern.

The visitors, who sacked Babbel on Monday after just nine months in charge, fell behind in the 27th minute when Rudnevs headed home Dennis Diekmeier’s cross despite a hand from the goalkeeper.

Tolgay Arslan hit the crossbar before half-time for Hamburg, who continued to dominate after the interval.

The second goal finally came on 74 minutes when Rudnevs was on hand in the area to score after a free kick.

Hoffenheim have conceded a league-worst 38 goals and sit in 16th on 12 points while Hamburg move up to sixth on 24 points.