Bundesliga: Mainz 3 Stuttgart 1

Mainz derailed Stuttgart’s positive run in the Bundesliga with a 3-1 come-from-behind win on Friday.

Having begun the match just goal difference from the relegation zone, Mainz looked set for more misery when Stuttgart captain Cacau put his side in front five minutes into the second half.

After tight first half, Cacau broke the deadlock when Martin Harnik forged a way down the left flank and guided a perfectly weighted ball across two defenders for the Germany forward to prod home.

But Anthony Ujah headed the hosts level soon after, and an Andreas Ivanschitz strike saw Mainz take the lead by the 60-minute mark.

Nigerian forward Ujah – an off-season signing from Norwegian club Lillestrom – then ensured his first goals for the club would be memorable when he again headed past Stuttgart goalkeeper Sven Ulreich to complete the scoring.

Mainz’s Eugen Polanski saw red for a vicious tackle late on, but the hosts were able to hold on for a much-needed victory and hand Stuttgart their first loss in all competitions since September 23.

Stuttgart’s trip only worsened after the final whistle, when Mexican defender Francisco Rodriguez’s protests to referee Guido Winkmann earned him a second yellow card.